A man who stalked pop star Cheryl has been jailed for 16 weeks after leaving her «terrified». The Girls Aloud singer said she feared for her and her child’s safety after Daniel Bannister turned up at her Buckinghamshire home last December.
Bannister was already banned from doing so after being handed a restraining order and a four-month jail sentence last September, after visiting the property twice earlier in 2024 – in January and July. High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court heard Bannister, who reportedly killed a man in 2012, «can’t stay away» from Cheryl. The defendant, 50, admitted going to the 41-year-old’s house and ringing the bell at the gate on 10 December.
Cheryl «immediately panicked» when she spotted him outside her property for a third time, and was concerned for her seven-year-old son Bear, the court was told. Cheryl expressed her desire to protect her child from harm.
Speaking about the December visit in a statement to the police, Cheryl said: «I knew this was Daniel because I have had previous incidents where Daniel has come to my property. I immediately panicked when I saw Daniel. I feared for my safety and my child’s safety. My son was due back from the cinema, and I didn’t want him to see Daniel. I was concerned he was looking for a way into the property. I want to protect my child from any harm.»
Liam Payne’s death: The singer’s ex-partner Liam Payne died last October in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after falling from his third-floor hotel balcony. Cheryl described the death of the former One Direction star as «indescribably painful» as she voiced fears about protecting their son.
On Friday, Bannister was sentenced for two counts of harassment relating to the breach of a restraining order and one count of attempting to breach a restraining order. District Judge Arvind Sharma also handed Bannister a new restraining order, banning him from contacting the singer. Judge Sharma emphasized that Bannister knew the star was «very distressed and upset» by his actions.
In the January 2024 visit, the court was told that Bannister spoke through an intercom system at the gate, claiming he had «come to get Cheryl.» This incident left Cheryl feeling violated, terrified, and unsafe in her own home. In July of the same year, Bannister again called at the house, prompting Cheryl to call her brother for assistance as the defendant remained outside her property.
During the visits, Bannister made unsettling statements like «I’m really thirsty I just want a glass of wine please,» showing a disregard for the victim and the court. Bannister’s lawyer Colin Mackrell mentioned that Bannister wanted to sort things out to reassure Cheryl. Despite serving three months in prison, Bannister could be released in a matter of weeks.
It was also revealed that Bannister had been involved in a fatal attack at a south London YMCA shelter in 2012, where he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
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