Published date: 27 May 2016 |
Published by: Staff reporterRead more articles by Staff reporterEmail reporter
A disabled man accused of posting an offensive comment about a former beauty queen claimed that his YouTube account must have been hacked.
Anthony Mantova told police that he didn’t know how it had happened but that he had seen on BBC TV’s One Show that it could easily be done.
Mantova, 39, appeared before Prestatyn magistrates accused of breaching a restraining order imposed at the same court in July, 2012, preventing him from posting any material against former Miss Prestatyn Chloe Hopkins.
The order followed his conviction on a charge of harassment, and Mantova has served two prison sentences for breaching the order in 2012 and 2013.
Prosecutor John Wylde told the court that on April 2 this year Miss Hopkins, who is hoping to forge a career as an entertainer, had put a video on You Tube of her singing.
That same day a comment was made under Mantova’s account.
Miss Hopkins had been interviewed on “This Morning” about her experiences as a victim of stalking and harassment.
She complained to the police, stating: “I’m worried it is going to get worse. I don’t know what he is capable of and I am frightened.”
When interviewed Mantova, of The Grove, Meliden, Prestatyn, claimed that it was a “set-up” and that he had never used his YouTube account.
Mantova, who appeared in court in a wheelchair, declined to give evidence but his solicitor Juliana Garay said that although there was no dispute about the message having posted there was no concrete evidence as to who had posted it.
“You cannot be sure it was the defendant who caused it to be posted on-line,” she said.
After finding him guilty the Bench heard a victim impact statement from Miss Hopkins in which she said her experience had led to her taking an overdose and to a break-up with her boyfriend.
“He seems to have such hatred towards me and I don’t know why,” she said.
Chairman Duncan Stewart said the Bench’s sentencing powers were insufficient and so Mantova was bailed to appear at Caernarfon Crown Court on June 23.
They called for a pre-sentence report by the probation service after Ms Garay said that because of his “delicate state of health” prison might not be the most appropriate place for him and that alternatives should be considered.
see-http://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/162605/disabled-man-found-guilty-of-breaching-restraining-order-against-former-prestatyn-beauty-queen.aspx
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