Sam Egerton, aged 34, threatened Joe Lycett would ‘die very soon’ during a five-month campaign of sending messages to him on ‘X’
Sam Egerton was found guilty of stalking Birmingham comedian Joe Lycett
A man has been found guilty of stalking Birmingham comedian Joe Lycett including threatening the star would ‘die very soon’.
Sam Egerton embarked on a campaign of harassing the entertainer after finding out they both lived on the same street in Kings Heath.
The 34-year-old sent Mr Lycett a number of abusive posts on social media platform ‘X’, formerly Twitter, for more than four months and ‘loitered’ outside his house.
RECAP: Birmingham man guilty of stalking comedian Joe Lycett – updates
Some of the messages referenced the comedian’s baby.
Mr Lycett told Birmingham Magistrates’ Court today, Wednesday, February 4, that he became increasingly concerned for the safety of himself and his family.
But he said he had ‘no ill will’ towards Egerton, adding he hoped he would be ‘looked after’ and not ‘locked up’.
Egerton, now of Livingston Road, Perry Barr, was found guilty of stalking.
During a chaotic trial, in which he was nearly thrown out for repeatedly interrupting from the dock, the defendant told the court he once played rugby for England and had obtained a law degree at Oxford.
Egerton also said he had been ‘sectioned’ previously, prompting concerns from District Judge Tanweer Ikram, who ordered a pre-sentence report and psychiatric assessment be carried out.
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Mr Lycett said he had lived at his address in Kings Heath for nearly ten years and had never previously met the defendant before receiving the first X post on August 21 last year.
Egerton made reference to his road and said the comedian was ‘too scared to leave his house to walk past’, as he described himself as a ‘war general with PTSD’.
Mr Lycett said he was ‘concerned’ at the inclusion of the street where he lived, which was not common knowledge.
He said it was also ‘unusual’ that Egerton had revealed details about his own location and identity whereas other unsolicited messages he received were typically ‘more anonymous’.
Sam Egerton pictured outside Birmingham Magistrates Court.
A further post from Egerton claimed he was ‘making Joe Lycett hop about like he can’t live his life’. The comedian said that was ‘worrying’ and ‘felt like a threat’.
He recalled an incident when he was putting his baby in the car ready to go shopping when he noticed Egerton walk past.
Mr Lycett said he drove off and then ‘clocked eyes’ with Egerton as he sat on a wall. He explained the situation to his girlfriend and told her ‘that guy makes me feel nervous’.
Mr Lycett told the court he became increasingly concerned at seeing a post from Egerton referencing his baby. He said: “It confirmed someone was watching me.”
Joe Lycett (Image: Getty Images)
In another X message, Egerton described himself as the ‘top dog’ on the street and claimed Mr Lycett was ‘rattled’ as he spoke about him being ‘out on the street with friends and family’.
Mr Lycett said that made his concern grow as he felt he was being ‘observed in an uncomfortable way’.
He confirmed he made his own timeline of events and decided to contact the police so everything was on record. The TV personality said he felt he was being ‘intimidated’ as opposed to being bullied.
Ring doorbell footage captured Egerton shouting about a comedian outside Mr Lycett’s home in the early hours of the morning.
Mr Lycett said he did not understand the ‘ultimate message’ behind the posts as there was a ‘high volume and they didn’t make sense to me’.
He confirmed Egerton continued the unwanted messages even after he had been ordered not to contact the comedian by police.
The most menacing X post was made in January this year. It said: “As soon as I see him in the courtroom I’m going to shout as loud as I possibly can.
“You are in the deepest hell, you will die very soon.”
Summarising the impact on himself, Mr Lycett said: “Naturally the fact I’m here I feel there’s some concern for my safety or the safety of my family.
“I don’t want to be here, I don’t want to have to go through this process.
“I’m concerned for Mr Egerton and his wellbeing, I want him to be supported and looked after and I ideally want some sort of system, a restraining order to keep him away from me for my security.
“I wish him no ill will, I don’t want a custodial sentence or for him to be locked up. I want him to be looked after.”
Egerton was screened from the comedian by a black curtain pulled around one side of the dock.
In a number of relentless outbursts he claimed the trial was ‘unfair’, requested a muzzle and even asked the judge for his name.
At one point Judge Ikram gave him a ‘final warning’ to be quiet otherwise he would be removed.
Egerton went off on multiple tangents while giving evidence himself and acknowledged he was not ‘articulating myself very well’.
He ranted about Mr Lycett saying: “He’s enjoying the idea of coming to court, he has his long list of Tweets. He’s come prepared. He’s lapping this up. He’s enjoying it.
“He gets the guy who has been annoying people by protesting against the place.”
Egerton confirmed he had been sectioned in 2019 and told the court he felt suicidal.
He revealed he obtained a law degree from Oxford and played rugby for England before quitting due to ‘political reasons’.
He further claimed a law firm he worked at was ‘not happy with my Tweets’. Egerton said: “That’s why I’m here. All this compulsive Tweeting, I have got an addictive compulsion, I have been taken by it.”
He denied being jealous of Mr Lycett’s success saying he had ‘no desire’ to be famous or have anything to do ‘with anyone within the Satanic cult’.
Egerton confessed he posted ‘terribly nasty’ things but said he did not mean them.
He said: “I wanted to see if he was man enough to let me know this was rattling.”
After announcing the guilty verdict to stalking Judge Ikram adjourned sentencing until April 24.
He said: “You have said things during the course of these proceedings that have caused me some concern. I want you to work with the probation officer.”
Egerton was granted bail with conditions not to contact Mr Lycett or attend part of the street where he lives.