Denise Welch revealed that she feared she would be “burned alive” after her pursuer set fire to her home.
Thorac Wingard, 53, was convicted last September of persecution for causing serious anxiety or suffering to the 63-year-old actress between September 2020 and February 11 last year, and was sentenced to seven years and seven months in prison earlier this month.
Now Denise spoke in detail about the horrific incident to The Sun and “marks” the consequences of her ordeal, admitting that she feared he was trying to kill her.
Terrifying: Denise Welch openly discusses her terror that she and her family will die after her persecutor sets fire to her home
She said: “We thought he was trying to kill us. It was just awful. It’s not worth thinking about.
She explained that on the night of the fire she was awakened by her husband Lincoln Townley, who was screaming when the flames erupted in front of their home worth 800,000 British pounds.
They were warned by a lady who passed by her, who Denise said without whom “she might not have been here today.”
Hell of a Stalker: Thorak Wingard (pictured), 53, was convicted last September of harassment, causing serious anxiety or suffering to the 63-year-old actress between September 2020 and February 2021.
They immediately called the fire department and watched the fire grow and melt the garage, while waiting for the services felt like “forever.”
Security records show Wyngard jumping in front of the house before setting it on fire, causing £ 4,285 in damage.
That night, he was arrested by police nearby and found carrying a 4-inch kitchen knife in his backpack.
The couple was forced to wait to see if Wingard would be locked up, and she revealed her fear that he would try again.
She said: “It was completely horrifying and in six months it completely changed the way I lived my life. All I could think about was, “Why, why, why, why is he doing this to me and my family?” What have I ever done to this man?
Brave: Now Denise told in detail the horrific incident to The Sun and the “scars” after the effects (pictured in April with wife Lincoln Townley)
Denise explained that she suffered from nightmares and sleepless nights while constantly on the edge.
She admitted: “I’m not a nervous person by nature – I’ve always felt safe in my own house – but when someone sets fire to your home, it changes you forever.”
Wingard returned to Denise’s home the following February and damaged the garden gate and painted it with graffiti, marking the words “witch” and “pimp” with a marker and an inverted cross.
In passing Wingard’s sentence, Judge Michael Leaming said his actions had affected the couple and caused them “anxiety and suffering”.
The judge also imposed a restraining order, preventing Wyngard from entering Wilmslow or approaching the couple or doing any research into their personal lives.
Prosecutor Gareth Bellis told the court that the fire department visited the property on the night of the fire after the couple was warned by the public who rang their doorbell.
The fire – believed to have started with an accelerator – was soon extinguished, but there was a danger that the fire could spread and “create large amounts of toxic smoke” and cause “serious injury or death”.
Scarred: She admitted: “I’m not a nervous person by nature – I’ve always felt safe in my own house – but when someone sets fire to your home, it changes you forever.”
Belis told the court that Wingard claimed that the knife he was carrying was used to cut flowers, while two cameras – also found in his backpack – were used in his role as a photographer in the press.
During police interviews, Wingard – who has a history of mental illness, including bipolar disorder – denied involvement and did not comment on questions.
But he pleaded guilty to harassing the former Hollyoaks actress and causing serious anxiety or stress between September 18, 2020 and February 1, 2021, and a hearing in September.
He also admitted charges of arson, possession of an object with a blade and criminal damage.
But on the day he was originally due to be convicted, in October last year, he said he intended to change his plea, which would delay the trial.
A judge was then forced to apologize to Denise for attending the court “unnecessarily” because the sentence had not been carried out.
The case has dragged on ever since, but a judge ultimately rejected Wyngard’s request to withdraw his plea at last month’s hearing.
Denise and Lincoln appeared in court via video link to give statements about the impact of the victims.
She said Wingard’s actions made her “terrified” and she “will never forget what happened” and no longer feels safe at home or walking around a nearby store.
“It’s horrible to think about what could happen if he gets access,” she said.
“I am afraid to think that someone could do this. He could have seriously injured me or my family and just left as if nothing had happened.
“It changed my life. I have a wonderful life, but this man has left it forever.
Lincoln said his family meant “everything for him” and his inability to protect them left him “angry.”
He added: “I feel angry that someone I don’t know has targeted our home and I don’t feel safe where I need to feel safe.”
The court heard that the couple has since increased their security to £ 2,000 a month.
Louise Bellis, a defense attorney, said Wyngard, who had a previous conviction in 2005 for shooting two people with a BB pistol, had suffered from bipolar problems since his partner’s death in 2004.
The TV personality is already talking about the severe damage that Wyngard’s harassment has done to her family.
“It was an incredibly horrifying and stressful time for me and our family,” Denise said.
“We are grateful to the fire service for their prompt action in rescuing our house and to the police for their incredible vigilance and support.
“Special thanks to the Harm Reduction Unit assigned to us, which takes us through this horrible time every step of the way.”
Disappointment: Denise Welch and her husband Lincoln attended the Chester Crown trial in October, expecting to see Wingard in prison, but he tried to change his plea.
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