Denise Welch: who is Loose Women star’s stalker Toraq Wyngard, what is his prison sentence, and what happened?

A 53-year-old man from Salford has been sentenced to nearly eight years following a stalking “campaign” targeted at Loose Women star Denise Welch.

Toraq Wyngard started a fire in the driveway of Welch’s home in Wilmslow that she shares with her husband, Lincoln Townley, and left her “terrified”.

What happened?

Between 18 September 2020 and 11 February 2021, Wyngard subjected Welch to a “disturbing stalking campaign” police have said.

On 19 September 2020, he went to Welch’s property and set fire to the skip on her driveway, which spread to the garage which is attached to her home.

Welch said she was alerted to the fire by her husband’s “piercing scream” when a member of the public knocked on their door after spotting the flames. The court heard that £4,285 of damage was caused by the blaze.

Gareth Bellis, prosecuting, said CCTV showed a man in a distinctive baseball cap looking around the property before appearing to pour an accelerant into the skip and set it alight.

“On arrival, police officers found Wyngard nearby and on searching his backpack discovered a knife,” Chesire Police said.

The court heard that Wyngard claimed to be a press photographer and police found two cameras in his bag. Further cameras, both normal and covert, were found at Wyngard’s home address, as well as binoculars.

On February 10 2021, while Wyngard was released under investigation, Welch and her husband discovered the words “Witch” and “Pimp”, along with an upside-down cross, had been scrawled on their front gate in blue marker pen.

CCTV showed Wyngard writing the graffiti and he was captured on CCTV at a nearby shop buying the pen.

Bellis said: “These actions caused serious alarm and distress and had a substantial adverse effect on the Townleys and their day-to-day activities.”

The court heard that the couple now spend £2,000 a month on additional security.

What did Denise Welch say in court?

The former Coronation Street actor gave evidence over video-link from the US as Wyngard was sentenced.

Welch said: “It has changed my life. I have a wonderful life and this man has permanently scarred it.”

She also said that her experiences with Wyngard “terrified me and continues to do so”.

Welch’s husband, who also appeared via video-link, also said: “My family mean everything to me and the thought of not being able to protect them from this experience has left me feeling powerless and angry.”

What did the judge say?

At a hearing last September, Wyngard pleaded guilty to stalking, causing serious alarm or distress, between 18 September 2020 and 11 February 2021.

Wyngard also admitted charges of possession of a knife, criminal damage, and arson.

His sentencing was delayed after he later attempted to change his pleas, claiming he had been “pressured” into admitting the offences, the court heard.

Wyngard’s application to change his pleas was rejected but Louise Cowen, defending, said that Wyngard maintained he was not guilty. She added that he suffered from bipolar disorder and had been failing to take his medication.

He was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 7 April, where he received a seven year and seven month sentence.

While sentencing Wyngard, Judge Michael Leeming said: “You have expressed not a single word of regret, not a single word of concern for your victims at all.

“Your only concern is for your own interests.”

He also made Wyngard subject to a restraining order, with conditions including not to enter Wilmslow.

The judge said: “It is not clear to me, given your attitude to this case, your attempt to vacate your guilty pleas without any proper foundation, and your repeated, continued denials of any criminality, when the risk you pose to Mr and Mrs Townley might reduce to such an extent that the order is no longer required.”

Following the sentencing, Welch tweeted: “Stalking is a serious offence. Pleased that in our case we had a judge who saw this. 7 yrs!!”

What have the police said?

DS Dave Thomason from Cheshire Constabulary’s Harm Reduction Unit said: “Wyngard’s actions were causing Denise great distress and a trial would have further impacted on her, so I’m pleased that he has now pleaded guilty.

“I’d like to thank Denise for her bravery in coming forward and I hope this reassures other victims that we do listen and take action against those who carry out such distressing crimes in our communities.

“Our Specialist Victim Advocates in the Harm Reduction Unit have been supporting Denise and her husband throughout - providing practical support, safety planning and advocacy.

“The Specialist Victims’ Advocates are currently providing direct support to a number of stalking victims across Cheshire in highly complex stalking cases, and I hope seeing this outcome will give others going through a similar ordeal the confidence to come forward and get the support and advice they need to end their nightmare.

“We will listen and we will help you get the right support in your case, just as we have done with Denise. Don’t suffer in silence, call us on 101 or report it via our website.”