Beckham’s feared for family safety after alleged stalker arrived at daughter’s school
The court heard Sharon Bell believes she is the mother of David and Victoria’s daughter Harper
David Beckham was left feeling "threatened" and "frightened for the safety of his family" after an alleged stalker, who believes she is the mother of his daughter Harper, turned up at the child's school, a court has heard.
58-year-old Sharon Bell from Watford was arrested last year after turning up at Harper Beckham’s school to collect her.
She is said to be under the belief that she was in a relationship with the former Manchester United and England footballer, that David and wife Victoria Beckham stole her eggs, and that their 10-year-old daughter is her legitimate child.
Woman accused of stalking The Beckham's
Bell allegedly sent a series of letters to the Beckhams' homes in Oxford and London before attending the addresses in July and September last year.
Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that she also turned up at Harper's primary school in a bid to speak to her, and was there when Victoria, 48, arrived to collect her daughter.
Prosecutor Arizuna Asante said of 47-year-old ex-Real Madrid, PSG, AC Milan and LA Galaxy star Beckham: "He felt threatened, he felt frightened for the safety of his family, and he believed this behaviour was targeted and intimidating.
"He says he does not know the defendant and she is not the mother of his children."
‘Previously pleaded not guilty’
Bell, of Boundary Way, Watford, has previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of stalking and faces trial on July 12.
She did not attend the hearing on Friday, which heard that she is currently in hospital, where she has been sectioned.
Her lawyer, Lisa Wilson, said that if her client is not found by the court to be insane, she wants the Beckhams, who will be on holiday at the time of the trial, to be called as witnesses so they can be questioned about her claims.
The court heard that this would include putting the suggestion to former Spice Girls singer Victoria, who has four children with her husband, "that she conspired with David Beckham to steal the eggs of Sharon Bell".
However, District Judge Michael Snow said the "absolutely bizarre assertion" would amount to "further harassment of the Beckham family" and said it is in the interests of justice that their statements be read.
"There is a risk of the family suffering further harassment, alarm or distress because of delusional allegations being put to them," he said.
The judge extended a civil interim stalking protection order until the end of the proceedings, which he indicated are likely to go down the "psychiatric route", resulting in a hospital order.
The Beckham's through the years
1998: Victoria and David got engaged
It all started here...
Here in 1998 with almost-matching hair
March 1999: Brooklyn Beckham was born
The couple's first son was born on 4th March 1999.
1999: The Beckhams' infamous matching all-leather outfits made their debut at a party in London
July 1999: The couple married in 1999
July 2000: They attended an event at Hyde Park
They even met Prince Charles at the event!
2001: Posting with baby Brooklyn
2002: Along came Romeo
He was born on 1st September 2002.
2003: David accepted an OBE
He was recognised for services to football.
2004: Victoria looking cute with Brooklyn
2005: Teaching Brooklyn the football ropes
2005: The family welcomed baby Cruz Beckham
The third Beckham child was born in Madrid on 20th February 2005.
2007: The Beckham Boys together
David became captain of LA Galaxy.
2009: The family lived in LA
2011: Harper Seven Beckham was born
The family's first daughter was born on 10th July 2011.
2012: Beckham boys having fun together
2012: The family turn out for the Spice Girls musical
The Beckham family supported Victoria at the opening of the Spice Girls musical.
2013: Romeo joins the Arsenal Academy
Romeo's sons began to follow in his footballing footsteps.
2013: David is a doting father to his daughter
2014: David and Victoria attended the Met Ball
2014: Cruz, David and Romeo got gunged at the Kids' Choice Sports Awards
2015: David took Harper to attend Victoria's show at New York Fashion Week
2015: David Beckham and his son Romeo at Wimbledon
2015: Victoria at Singapore Fashion Week
2016: Brooklyn and David with Anna Wintour
David and his eldest son sat next to fashion guru Anna Wintour at Victoria's fashion show for New York Fashion Week.
2019: Victoria decided not to take part in the Spice Girls reunion tour
Her former bandmates - Emma Bunton, Mel B, Mel C and Geri Horner née Halliwell - went on a tour of the UK, with Victoria's blessing.
2022: Victoria shares tribute to David on his 47th birthday
David turned 47-years-old on 2nd May 2022, and Victoria shared a touching tribute to her husband as they celebrated the occasion in the Bahamas. Sharing some cute snaps of her and David, Victoria wrote: 'I love you so much @davidbeckham you are the most incredible husband anyone could wish for and I feel truly blessed. You are my everything x I love you so so much x happy birthday 💕💕💕💕' (sic).
Victoria also went on to share a clip of David enjoying a little dance with his son Cruz, writing: 'Family time celebrating really is everything. 🙏🏼 We love you so much @brooklynpeltzbeckham @romeobeckham @cruzbeckham #harperseven Happy Birthday @davidbeckham we love you so much x' (sic).
2022: David and Victoria celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary
The loved-up couple flew to Paris in June 2022, to celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary on Monday 4th July. Both David and Victoria paid tribute to each other on social media, as well as sharing some sweet throwback snaps.
2023: David and Victoria celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary
Just like he does every year, David gushed over his wife as they celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary in July 2023. Sharing this throwback, he wrote: 'On this day 4.7.99 ❤️ 24 years and counting 👵🏼 👴🏼 To the best wife , mummy & drinking partner ( most of the time 🤪 ) Happy Anniversary love u so much ❤️'. (sic)
2023: Victoria supports David's Inter Miami FC
After David set up his very own MLS team called Inter Miami FC, Victoria and the children showed their support in August 2023 when they won the League Cup final against Nashville SC at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee.
2023: Beckham is released on Netflix
David and Victoria were joined by their closest family and friends in October 2023 as they attended the London premiere of David's four-part Netflix documentary called Beckham. Within the series, the pair document how they first met, as well as talking about the highs and lows of their relationship in the spotlight.
2024: Victoria celebrates her 50th birthday
In April 2024, David shared this stunning family photo as they celebrated Victoria turning 50. Victoria enjoyed a lavish party with her closest family and friends, where all five Spice Girls reunited.