Denise Welch’s knife-carrying arsonist stalker jailed for seven years

A KNIFE-carrying stalker who torched Loose Women star Denise Welch’s garage was jailed for seven years and seven months.

The former Coronation Street actress gave evidence by video-link from the US as Toraq Wyngard, 64, was sentenced.

She said: “I have a wonderful life and this man has permanently scarred it.”

Ms Welch, 63, said she was alerted to the 11pm fire by her husband’s “piercing scream” after a passer-by told them of the blaze started in a skip in their driveway.

CCTV showed a man in a baseball cap covered in metallic badges.

He looked around the property before appearing to pour an accelerant into the skip and setting it alight. 

It spread to the garage attached to their house and caused £4,285 of damage.

Wyngard was later arrested nearby in Wilmslow, Cheshire, wearing the cap.

Police found a 4in kitchen knife in his rucksack and two cameras.

He had spy cameras and binoculars at his home in Salford.

Chester crown court heard he was released under investigation.

Ms Welch and her husband then found “Witch” and “Pimp” scrawled on their front gate.

CCTV showed Wyngard writing the graffiti.

Wyngard admitted stalking, having a knife, criminal damage and arson.