Salford man pleads guilty to stalking Denise Welch
Police said Toraq Wyngard set fire to a skip on the driveway of her Cheshire home
A man has pleaded guilty to stalking Loose Women star Denise Welch.
Toraq Wyngard, 53, was due to stand trial on Monday but changed his pleas to guilty, a spokesman for Chester Crown Court said.
He admitted stalking the Hollyoaks actress as well as charges of arson, possession of a bladed article and damaging property.
A spokesman for Cheshire Police said Wyngard, of Cannon Street in Salford, Greater Manchester, was charged with stalking Welch between September 18 last year and February 11.
He set fire to a skip on the driveway of her Cheshire home on September 19 last year, 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.”
Denise said of the guilty pleas:
“Lincoln and I are very relieved that Toraq Wyngard otherwise known as Todd has pleaded guilty.
“This has been an incredibly terrifying and stressful time for me and our family.
“We are grateful to the fire service for their prompt action saving our house and to the police for their amazing vigilance and support.
“Special thanks go to the Harm Reduction Unit assigned to us who have guided us through this horrible time every step of the way.”
The court spokesman said Wyngard was due to be sentenced on October 26.