Seven year sentence for Denise Welch's stalker
Toraq Wyngard admitted to stalking the actress
A man who admitted stalking Denise Welch has been sentenced to seven years and seven months in prison.
53-year-old Toraq Wyngard from Salford, Greater Manchester, admitted stalking the actress and causing serious alarm or distress for offences that occurred between September 18, 2020, and February 11, 2021.
He also pleaded guilty to charges of possession of a knife, criminal damage, and arson, after setting fire to a skip in the driveway of the Cheshire home Ms Welch shares with husband Lincoln Townley, Cheshire 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.”
In a statement released by police, Ms Welch said she and her husband were relieved Wyngard had pleaded guilty.
She said:
“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.”
Wyngard, of Cannon Street in Salford, Greater Manchester, was found near the star’s home in 2020 when police were called to a fire, which spread from the skip to the garage attached to the property, police said.
When officers searched the 53-year-old, they found a knife in his backpack.
Welch, 63, who played Trish Minniver in Hollyoaks and Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street, is a regular panellist on Loose Women and has also appeared on Waterloo Road and as a contestant on Dancing On Ice.