Kevin Proctor’s defence barrister said he ‘struggled to make rational decisions due to his neurodiversity’Kevin Proctor outside Manchester Magistrates’ Court. (Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

A film producer has been handed a £300 fine for stalking after he instructed a firm of private investigators to place a tracker on the car of his ex-girlfriend’s new partner.

Kevin Proctor, 47, has several high-profile producing credits including Midas Man in 2024, a biopic of the Beatles’ long-time manager Brian Epstein. He also produced Funny Cow, a 2017 comedy starring Maxine Peake and Stephen Graham.

But he was arrested in July 2024 and charged with stalking after his ex-girlfriend Nicola Holt found a tracker on her new partner’s car. A court heard today (November 27) that it had been placed there by private investigators – at Proctor’s instruction.

Proctor initially denied the charge of stalking involving serious alarm and distress, but pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrate’s Court today to the lesser charge of stalking.

‘The relationship turned toxic’

Prosecuting, Ms Olivia Davin told the court that Proctor had been in a relationship with Holt, herself an actress who has appeared in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, from July 2022 to August 2023. “At some point, the relationship between the two parties turned toxic,” Ms Davin said.

“On June 28 2024, the complainant checked her vehicle for a tracker. She could not find one on her car, but then checked the vehicle of another person whose car she had access to, her now-partner, and found a small black tracking device behind the number plate.

“It was found to be a device with a SIM card inside which emitted a blue flashing light. She reported it to the police, and it was seized and downloaded.”

Ms Holt was not present in court, but had supplied a victim impact statement. “This situation has made me completely paranoid and scared,” she said in the statement.

“I have put a Ring doorbell camera on my house and every time I get a notification I assume it will be him. It panics me.”

“I thought a man was following me in ASDA,” she continued. “I thought he had paid someone to follow me. I check my vehicle every day for a tracker. I am scared now that going to the police is going to make it worse and that Kevin is going to turn up at my address and assault me.”

Defence barrister Aishling Byrnes told the court that there ‘had never been any violence’ or the threat thereof from Mr Proctor towards the complainant.

“He is now 47 and a man of exemplary good character,” she said. “In the spring of 2024 he embarked on this course of action which was entirely out of character and a matter of extreme regret.”

Kevin Proctor outside Manchester Magistrates’ Court. (Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

Providing background, Ms Byrnes said that Mr Proctor had continued to support Ms Holt financially even after their relationship ended.

“The complainant has categorised the relationship as somewhat toxic, but she does not mention that, as Mr Proctor was concerned about her financial wellbeing, he continued to assist her with considerable regular payments,” Ms Byrne said. “She accepted these.

“He then learned that she had embarked upon a new relationship. He wondered if this was a relationship that featured a financial aspect, and whether she really still needed his assistance.

“The way he went about it is the reason we are here. He made a decision to instruct a firm of private investigators who advised him that he could best satisfy his curiosity by the application of a tracker.

“He did not apply it himself – he is a film producer by trade and not well-versed in these sorts of things. But the tracker was applied on his instruction.”

‘Crazy’

Ms Byrnes then cited Mr Proctor’s official diagnosis of autism. “The circumstances in which he found himself – at the end of a relationship and concerned about a new one – likely impacted his ability to exercise sound judgement,” she said.

“He struggled to make rational decisions as a result of his neurodiversity. It is not a defence, but perhaps explains why a previously law-abiding and successful man would do something…crazy like this.”

The court was told that Mr Proctor’s life had been ‘turned upside down’ since his arrest. “He has suffered considerable reputational damage within his industry, which he no longer works in,” Ms Byrnes said. “He is a man who commanded respect in his profession, and also the loyalty of friends who have provided letters to the court.

“His offending was short-lived and not particularly sophisticated. Other than distress to the complainant, no-one else got hurt.

“He has started menial work in a freezer factory and lives with his parents. His outgoings considerably exceed his income, he is in debt and in a precarious financial situation.

“He has started therapy to help understand what impelled him to do this and ensure that it does not happen again.

“He has pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and is remorseful. His punishment started when he was arrested and continues unabated.”

Proctor, of King’s Gardens, Bedworth, pleaded guilty to a charge of stalking. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £205 in costs and surcharges. He was also issued a 12-month restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting Ms Holt or attending an address he believes her to be at.