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Man City TV presenter's 'terrifying' stalker ordeal

Stewart WhittinghamNorth West
BBC Natalie Pike, wearing a brown top, in a BBC studio.BBC
Natalie Pike described her ordeal as "crazy" and "terrifying"

A football presenter has described a "terrifying" eight-month ordeal in which her stalker turned up at a Premier League match where she was working.

Former BBC Radio Manchester presenter Natalie Pike said the man was arrested after she recognised him while she was broadcasting at Etihad Stadium before Manchester City played Newcastle United in February.

Ms Pike, who covered Scotland during the World Cup in the United States this summer, now works as City's in-house presenter as well as on other channels.

Her stalker was last week given a suspended prison sentence and issued with a restraining order.

Ms Pike said she had been on a spa day when her hairdresser called and said two men had come in trying to find her home address in the Cheshire village where she lives.

The 43-year-old said she trawled through her Instagram messages and was able to identify one of the men.

A week later, Ms Pike saw him again while she was on the pitch at Etihad Stadium.

She said he was arrested the following day.

He was convicted of stalking on 25 September and, in addition to the 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and restraining order, was told he must carry out rehabilitation activity and do 100 hours' community service.

The BBC has agreed to Ms Pike's request not to name him.

PA Media Interior shot of Manchester City's Etihad Stadium. The club badge is in sharp focus in the foreground with the pitch and one of the stands behind.PA Media
Natalie Pike works for Manchester City

She told BBC Breakfast: "It has been terrifying for the last eight months not knowing what is happening or what he might do, for my safety but also my son's safety.

"It has caused extreme anxiety for my whole family.

"I've had to change the registration plate on my car.

"I had to change the way I get to my house - I tried to take different routes."

Ms Pike said the ordeal had made her feel unsafe at football matches.

She said: "My job is in the public - I go to football games.

"You have to stand there in front of thousands of people, and you have the immediate feeling that you no longer feel safe in public places."

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