An individual described as an "obsessive" fan with a "sexual interest" in Billie Piper has been jailed for 12 months. Philip Jerome, 49, of Winchester, Hampshire, received the sentence for breaching a stalking prevention order designed to protect the former pop singer and Doctor Who star.
Mr Jerome appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to four breach charges. The court heard that an inspection of his devices on 27 December revealed four images of Piper saved on his phone. He had also tagged 11 posts and images relating to her on X across four days that month.
Prosecutor Anisa Alrubaie stated that one of the posts found included a comment from 7 December, where Mr Jerome wrote that a GQ awards image might have made him fall for the star, adding: "She is great without a bra too."
District Judge Kirsty Allman told Mr Jerome he had "demonstrated an entrenched pattern of stalking and harassment offences, and failing to comply with court orders." The judge noted his "motivation" was to contact Piper "in the hope she will engage in a relationship with you."
Mr Jerome's defence lawyer, Caroline Bonavia, mentioned he had a recent autism diagnosis and had sought psychological support for "obsessive" relationships. She argued that, were it not for the order, many of his actions would be similar to what a keen fan might post about a public figure, but acknowledged he must not do so.
This is not Mr Jerome's first breach; he was made subject to a restraining order in 2018 after attending Piper's home and sending her letters. He was also jailed for 12 months in 2022 for breaching that order by appearing at a Comic-Con convention and posing for photographs with Piper.