A Brazilian woman has been jailed and banned from attending gigs by Harry Styles after stalking the singer and sending him thousands of letters and cards. Myra Carvalho, 35, was imprisoned for 14 weeks after admitting a stalking charge at Harrow Crown Court. She sent 8,000 cards and letters to Styles over less than a month in the UK, some of which were wedding-themed. Two of the letters were delivered to the pop star’s address. She was also issued with a restraining order that will last for 10 years.
According to court documents, Carvalho arrived in the UK in December, staying in a hostel in Earl’s Court. Her family was unaware that she had left the country. She admitted a charge of stalking involving serious alarm or distress, and was ordered not to contact Styles directly or indirectly. She was also banned from entering a specific area of north-west London and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £134.
Meanwhile, Styles’ former One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson called rumours that he had been in a relationship with the star “irritating” and “far too personal” in a recent interview. The residents of the village in which Styles grew up are also hiring superfans to give guided tours of the area.
The case highlights the seriousness of stalking, which can have a profound impact on its victims. According to the National Stalking Helpline, one in five women and one in ten men will experience stalking in their lifetime. Stalking can take many forms, including unwanted messages, online harassment, and physical following. Victims of stalking are advised to seek support and report incidents to the police.
For Styles, who is currently headlining at the Coachella festival, the case will serve as a reminder of the impact that fame can have on personal safety and privacy. As the singer’s worldwide popularity continues to grow, he will no doubt have to take extra steps to ensure his security is maintained
Read the full article on NME here: Read More