Birmingham Court Convicts Peter Windsor of Stalking Myleene Klass

When Peter Windsor, a 61‑year‑old resident of Stechford, Birmingham, was found guilty of stalking television and radio presenter Myleene Klass, the case sent a chill through the UK media world. The verdict, delivered by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, also sealed the fate of Klass’s colleague Katie Breathwick, who was targeted in a parallel campaign of bizarre parcels and letters. Judge Tom Rochford warned that sentencing options range from incarceration to hospital orders, reflecting the seriousness of the offences.

Background to the case

Classic FM, the national commercial radio station that both women present for, has long been a staple of UK morning commutes. Over the past four years, however, the station became an unlikely conduit for a disturbing pattern of harassment. The first package arrived in March 2020 – an air‑pistol, handcuffs, and a police‑uniform shirt – addressed to the station’s London studios in London. The items were not random; they were meant to evoke authority and menace, a twisted joke that left Klass feeling “sheer terror,” as she later testified.

Details of the stalking campaign

Prosecutors painted a picture of a long‑running harassment effort that escalated in both volume and oddity. Between 2020 and 2024, Windsor sent a string of items that could have been lifted from a comedy sketch, except for the terror they caused:

• An air‑pistol and a pair of handcuffs, both shipped to Classic FM’s central London office.
• A police‑uniform costume, complete with a badge, delivered with a note calling it a "joke."
• A heart‑shaped pendant and a cheap necklace, described by the court as "disturbing gifts."
• Unsolicited literature about DIY will‑writing kits sent to Katie Breathwick alongside other "raving" letters.

The letters themselves were a key piece of evidence. One missive to Klass read, "You’ll need this for your next flight – hope you like the badge," followed by a photo of the uniform. Another to Breathwick listed the benefits of owning a will‑writing kit, framed as an unsolicited life‑coach advice column. The prosecution argued that the content was designed to intimidate, harass, and unsettle the recipients.

Court proceedings and verdict

The trial unfolded over two weeks at Birmingham Crown Court, with both women taking the stand. Klass described the night she found the air‑pistol on her doorstep, recounting how her heart raced and she called the police. Breathwick, meanwhile, recounted the bewilderment of receiving a brochure on estate planning from a stranger. Both testified that the items made them feel unsafe at work and in their homes.

Windsor, diagnosed with schizophrenia, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, insisting the parcels were “jokes” and that he lacked intent. The defence argued his mental health condition should absolve him of criminal responsibility. After four hours and eight minutes of deliberation, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on both counts of stalking.

When the verdict was read, Windsor, dressed in a grey sweatshirt, let out a sigh and pursed his lips, a small but telling gesture of defeat. He had been held on remand throughout the trial, meaning he had been in custody pending the outcome.

Reactions from the victims and public

In the aftermath, Klass thanked the court for taking her seriously, noting that many stalking cases fade into silence. “It’s not just about the odd gift. It’s the fear that follows you everywhere,” she said, her voice steady despite the emotional weight.

Breathwick echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the broader impact on colleagues who felt the atmosphere in the studio shift after the incidents. Social media users rallied around the presenters, with the hashtag #SupportKlass trending for several hours. Mental‑health advocates also weighed in, stressing the need for better support for victims of stalking, especially when perpetrators claim mental illness as a shield.

Legal implications and sentencing outlook

The case arrives at a time when the UK’s Protection from Harassment Act is under scrutiny for its ability to keep pace with modern forms of abuse, including digital and physical stalking. Legal analysts note that Windsor’s diagnosis does not automatically exempt him from prison; the law allows for hospital orders when mental health is a significant factor, but the decision will hinge on risk assessments and the severity of the offences.

Judge Rochford told the media that sentencing options include a custodial term of up to five years or a Hospital Order under the Mental Health Act, possibly combined with a supervision order. "The court must balance the need to protect the public with the offender’s health needs," he said.

Historical context of stalking legislation

Stalking became a specific criminal offence in England and Wales in 2012, after years of campaigning by survivors and advocacy groups. Since then, high‑profile cases—such as the 2021 conviction of a former football fan for harassing a Premier League star—have highlighted the law’s growing reach. Critics argue that the statutes still lag behind the sophisticated ways stalkers can weaponise technology, a point underscored by Windsor’s use of physical parcels sent to a radio station’s headquarters.

Experts suggest that future reforms may expand the definition of “harassment” to encompass not just repeated contact but also the “psychological impact” of unwanted communications, a shift that could have altered Windsor’s defence strategy.