Mum of murdered tot James Bulger sees stalker who terrorised her for eight years jailed for just 26 weeks
Howard Wilson has been banned from ever approaching Denise Fergus, her husband or her three sons
A STALKER who subjected the mother of tragic toddler James Bulger to an eight-year hell smiled and said “thanks for giving me what I want” - as he was jailed for 26 weeks today.
Denise Fergus, 49, said she became terrified after learning that Howard Wilson, 56, had been seen loitering outside her home and then asking “strange” questions about her in a nearby club.
It was the second time in a decade that Wilson had stalked the bereaved mum.
Eight years ago he was given a police warning after bombarding his victim with a series of unwanted gifts.
Today Wilson went on trial before a district judge at the same magistrates court in Bootle, Merseyside, where the killers of James Bulger made their first appearance.
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Robert Thompson and Jon Venables were later convicted of the child’s abduction and murder in February 1993.
Both are now free and living under the protection of new names.
Mrs Fergus was spared the ordeal of giving evidence at South Sefton Magistrates’ Court and instead appeared on a videolink from Liverpool Crown Court.
District judge Mark Hadfield jailed Wilson for 26 weeks – the maximum penalty he could impose.
He also made the stalker the subject of an indefinite restraining order that bans him from ever approaching Mrs Fergus, her husband and her three sons.
The defendant, who appeared in the dock wearing a mauve tracksuit and trainers, smiled as the sentence was passed.
He told the judge: “Thanks for giving me what I want”.
Alison Clarkson, prosecuting, told the stalker: “You can’t accept that your obsession with Denise Fergus caused her distress, can you?”
Wilson was refused permission to explain the reason for his repeated harassment of his victim but he insisted he meant her no harm.
Mrs Fergus told the court how one of her gates had been thrown open late on the August Bank Holiday Monday.
Her husband re-ran the CCTV images that protect their home in Kirkby, Merseyside, and spotted earlier footage of the stalker loitering in nearby woodland and then riding his bike towards the house.
After opening the gate he sped off to the Quarry Green Social Club where he asked numerous “weird” questions about Mrs Fergus.
Two women there were so disturbed by Wilson’s behaviour that they called round to his victim’s home to alert her.
I am still on edge now. If I see a car or a person walking past that I do not know…my mind starts racing as to what could be going on.
Denise Fergus
He was walking out of the club when she arrived a short time later.
She said: “I realised I’d seen him before.
“It was the fella that stalked me eight years ago.
“I said to him: `Why can’t you leave me alone? What do you want from me? Why are you harassing me?`
“He had his head down and carried on walking.
“I felt really anxious and I knew I was in for a long night of no sleep”.
Later, in a victim impact statement, the mother-of-three said: “The fact that I do not know his intentions worries me.
“Why would someone attend my home address in the dark to sit and watch from the other side of the road?
“I felt the same way on this occasion as I did back in 2008 when Howard kept leaving things outside my address and knocking on my door wanting to speak to me.
“I am still on edge now.
“If I see a car or a person walking past that I do not know…my mind starts racing as to what could be going on”.
“What worries me the most is that I believe Howard to be unpredictable.
“What could he do next?
“I am constantly thinking about the `ifs and buts`, as I do not know what he is capable of or what he may decide to do next to me or my family”.
She added: “I understand that he has to be released at some point.
“I am concerned he will come back and start terrorising me.
"Or if he can’t get at me, will he start terrorising my lads?
“I really feel he should be tagged so his movements can be monitored, and the safety of my family can be ensured.
“I just wish he would leave me alone so I can get on with my life.
"I have had enough to worry about and just want to enjoy my family life”.
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