A stalker who made Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Ballas’ life hell during a horror six-year ordeal has been spared jail today after a court heard he believed she was his aunt.
Kyle Shaw, 37, from Wirral, was told by his own mother that his father was the former dancer and choreographer’s brother David Rich, who killed himself aged 20 in December 2003.
Liverpool Crown Court heard he became obsessed with Ms Ballas, bombarding her with messages on social media and suggesting she was responsible for her brother’s death during the ‘distressing’ six-year campaign.
In one message, posted on Instagram, in October 2020, Shaw wrote: ‘You ruined my life, I will ruin yours and everyone around you.’
Ballas, 64, was so fearful she boosted security at her home and work, stopped taking public transport or staying in hotels and was even forced to relocate her 86-year-old mother, Audrey Rich, to a new home away from Wirral after Shaw approached her in a supermarket.
But Shaw was today allowed to walk free after being handed a 20-month jail term suspended for 20 months – and a lifetime restraining order banning him from contacting the Strictly judge.
Judhe Woodhall told Shaw: ‘This is obviously not a case where immediate imprisonment will significantly impact others. It’s clear given your mental health conditions that incarceration will impact you more greatly than many others.
‘Offences of this type are ordinarily of such seriousness that appropriate punishment can only be achieved by an immediate custodial sentence. Your bail conditions appear to have had some success.
Kyle Shaw, 37, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to stalking Shirley Ballas , 64, between August 31, 2017, and November 29, 2023 in February
His conduct was said to have left Ballas, who has been head judge on the BBC show since 2017, ‘seriously alarmed and distressed’
‘Further protective measures can work to avoid further offending. There are reasons to believe there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.’
Shaw burst into tears as he learned his fate, and was heard remarking to a family member: ‘I thought I was going down’.
He will also be required to complete rehabilitation activity of up to 20 days and a 12-month drug rehabilitation programme.
The judge had previously heard Shaw had been diagnosed with ‘complex mental health’ issues that had affected him since the age of seven.
He first admitted stalking Ballas between August 31, 2017, and November 29, 2023 in February.
He also admitted possession of cannabis, and was given conditional bail ahead of today’s sentencing hearing.
Shaw was pictured arriving at Liverpool Crown Court this morning wearing a face covering, sunglasses and hat, and was seen smoking a cigarette.
The stalker, who was dressed in a white shirt and black tie, broke down in tears as details of his offending was outlined.
Referring to an image of her home, which was posted on X by Shaw, Nicola Daley, prosecuting, said: ‘Ms Ballas was understandably frightened by that, she became more worried for her own safety because of the likelihood of him turning up at her home.
‘Around that time messages continued in a menacing manner. As a consequence, she increased security at work and home. By that point she was constantly worrying and looking over her shoulder.’
Ms Ballas also described having sleepless nights, the barrister added.
The 37-year-old from Wirral also admitted possession of cannabis (Pictured: Shaw arriving at Liverpool Crown Court today)
In February, a court heard Shaw made continued unwanted attempts to contact Ballas and left her ‘seriously alarmed and distressed’
The court heard there was evidence that Shaw’s mother had told him when he was a teenager that she had had a relationship with Mr Rich and fallen pregnant, but Judge Gary Woodhall added: ‘There is equally limited evidence that it’s correct.’
In February, a court heard Shaw made continued unwanted attempts to contact Ballas and left her ‘seriously alarmed and distressed’.
Shaw posted on social media about the star, including uploading the image of her house, attempted to contact her family, friends and work colleagues, monitored her online and TV presence and made arrangements to attend her book tour.
His conduct was said to have left Ballas, who has been head judge on the BBC show since 2017, ‘seriously alarmed and distressed’ and unable to continue her usual day-to-day activities.
It comes months after Shirley phoned the police when an alleged stalker ‘lunged at her and took photos of her house and car’. It isn’t known if the incident was linked to Shaw.
Ballas previously thanked the BBC’s ‘fantastic’ duty of care dubbing it as being ‘one thousand percent’.
The dancer had a successful Latin dance career before joining the Strictly Come Dancing panel in 2017 as she replaced head judge Len Goodman.
Shirley’s ordeal comes after Gavin Plumb was convicted over his attempts to kidnap and murder former This Morning host, Holly Willoughby.
Shirley previously told how she is much more aware of her safety ever since Holly’s ordeal was made public.
She said: ‘I am a very vigilant person. When I go out, I’m careful not to go alone. If it’s at night, I’m always a little bit nervous.
‘There’s what you read on social media, (and then) particularly with Holly – her experiences. So, yeah, I don’t take anything lightly.
‘There are many amazing people, but there are a few strange people out there. It’s quite hard, and makes you always a little bit more precautious.’
She continued: ‘I always have George, the guy who’s driven me for the last five years, get out of the car first, always scanning.
‘I wouldn’t say it’s the healthiest thing. You know, I like to be kind of like a free bird, but we’re coming into times now where you have to be more vigilant of yourself.’
