fervent Beckham told a court how he felt “helpless” when a stalker tried to pick up his daughter Harper from school, and was afraid of what she “was going to do”.
The former Manchester United and England star, 47, was targeted by Sharon Bell, 58, between July and November last year.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard her send “threatening” letters before visiting the footballer and his wife’s homes in Oxfordshire and west London. Spice Girls singer Victoria Beckham48.
Then, on November 18 last year, Bell showed up at Beckhams’ 11-year-old daughter’s prep school and claimed, “I’m Harper’s mother. I’m here to pick her up.”
I’ve been trying to protect her (Harper) and I’m worried about her safety
“I felt helpless and angry that I couldn’t do anything. I was very concerned for Harper’s safety,” said ex-Real Madrid, PSG, AC Milan and LA Galaxy midfielder Beckham in a statement read by prosecutor Arzuna Asante.
Victoria Beckham said in a statement that she went to pick up her daughter with a security guard, while Bell was described by police as “looking empty” before being arrested.
‘I haven’t spoken to her. However, I saw her when we left,” said the fashion designer.
She shared how the incident “upset” her daughter, saying: “I’ve tried not to make a fuss about it because I’m very concerned about the effect it might have on Harper.
“I’ve tried to protect her and I’m concerned for her safety.”
She added: “I am very concerned and anxious about Harper going to the park or being taken on school trips.”
The court heard that Bell was fixated on Beckham and claimed she was Harper’s real mother. She sent a handwritten letter to their Oxfordshire home on 5 July last year, telling him she would be coming to the property days later.
The letters grew more and more menacing and it was clear the woman knew where I lived.
“I got your address from a detective agency, hope you don’t mind. i have feelings for you David,” it reads.
“Victoria owes me some money, David, because she said she’s been robbing my bank account for years, which isn’t very nice. I would appreciate it if she wasn’t there.”
The court heard she was “persevered” when she arrived at the property on July 9, but left after being told by security it was the wrong address.
Another letter was sent to the Beckhams’ home in Holland Park before Bell’s appearance on September 9.
“Please be there or someone will go to the press and say you both have my part numbers. That wouldn’t look good because you have an OBE,” the letter said.
“You said if I write to you first and I’m unarmed (which I will be), I can come in for a chat and a cup of tea (Earl Gray is my favorite tea). I really want to talk to you, so can I please come in for a chat?”
The letter also referred to television host Richard Madeley’s home, saying, “I will not attack you.
“I just want to talk to you. You owe me that David (ps I’d love to be with you if you need brain surgery to give you some new brain cells) and your friend Tom Cruise really upset me David. He did terrible things to me.”
In a third letter sent in October, Bell said, “I really love you and have since we were kids.”
Beckham said he had never met Bell and expressed concern about her “escalating” behavior, which he said became “irregular and unpredictable”.
“I felt like the language in the letter escalated and became more emotional and menacing towards me and my family and that worried me,” he said.
“The letters became increasingly menacing and it was clear that the woman knew where I lived.”
He added: “It worried me about what she would do next.”
Bell, of Boundary Way, Watford, was charged with stalking but was not given a criminal trial because she has a mental disorder.
District Judge Michael Snow said he was confident she had carried out the criminal conduct and issued an order to detain Bell, who appeared in court Tuesday via video link, under the Mental Health Act.
He referred to the “rather terrifying thought” of her research into Beckham’s address and the “horrifying words” used in her letters.
“He became fearful for his family’s safety, concerned about what Mrs. Bell might do next,” the judge added.
He also issued a Civil Protection Order against stalking that forbids Bell from contacting the Beckhams or their four children for the rest of their lives.
“This is one of those rare instances where an indefinite warrant is required to protect the members of the Beckham family named in it from serious psychological or physical harm from Ms Bell,” he said.