Judge feared for his family’s safety after defendant put him through Cape Fear-style stalking ordeal
- Christopher Searle, 40, was found guilty of stalking Judge Jeremy Jenkins, 63
- In 1991 film Cape Fear Robert De Niro plays a rapist who stalks attorney’s family
A judge told a court he feared for the safety of his family after a defendant put him through a ‘Cape Fear’ stalking ideal.
Christopher Searle, 40, followed Judge Jeremy Jenkins, 63, after he drove from one courthouse to another in south Wales and called him corrupt and an ‘evil man’.
Searle also filmed himself abusing prosecuting barrister Andrew Jones after he left his chambers to meet his family for dinner.
He later posted footage of both incidents on TikTok, claiming he was angry about the court proceedings he had faced.
In the 1991 movie Cape Fear – a remake of the 1962 film – Robert De Niro plays a convicted rapist who stalks the family of his own attorney, played by Nick Nolte, after he is released from a 14 year sentence.
Christopher Searle (pictured), 40, followed Judge Jeremy Jenkins, 63, after he drove from one courthouse to another in south Wales and called him corrupt and an ‘evil man’
Searle, of Tondu Road, Bridgend, denied but was convicted of stalking Judge Jenkins, without fear of alarm and distress, between 8 September and 13 September last year.
He has been bailed ahead of sentencing on August 25.
Mr Jones had offered no evidence against Searle on a charge of conspiracy to supply class A drugs when he appeared in front of Judge Jenkins on September 8.
Giving evidence via video-link the judge said the next day he drove his black Mercedes C220 from Newport Crown Court and parked in the carpark at Cardiff Crown Court.
Cape Fear (1991)
Cape Fear (1991) is a remake of the 1962 film which is based on the novel The Executioners.
Robert De Niro plays a convicted rapist (Max) who stalks the family of his own attorney Sam, played by Nick Nolte, after he is released from a 14 year sentence.
In the film, Sam hid evidence during the defence that could have led to a reduction in Max’s sentence or an acquittal.
As Max is illiterate during the trial, Sam believes he will never find out but he teaches himself to read and studies law while in prison.
Max begins to terrorise Sam’s family. including loitering near their property and seducing his daughter.
Sam hires a private investigator to keep an eye on his stalker.
The American psychological thriller is directed by Martin Scorsese.
Cape Fear (1991) is a remake of the 1962 film which is based on the novel The Executioners
He then walked into the town centre to buy his wife a birthday present then returned to the carpark.
Judge Jenkins told Westminster Magistrates’ Court: ‘I put the present into the passenger side and as I was closing the door, I hear a voice from behind me. As I turned around, I saw a man abusing me and filming me.
‘He was walking towards me although there were railings separating us, he was pointing at me whilst filming and calling me names, he was saying I was an evil man, that I had in fact no business sitting, that I was corrupt and that I would ruin his life.’
Another circuit judge was in the car park at the time and he accompanied Judge Jenkins into the court building.
Judge Jenkins told the court Searle was ‘very threatening, [he] was abusive and it caused me great concern.
‘It was only by chance that I stopped off at Cardiff Crown Court, if I had travelled from Newport Crown Court to my home then obviously from that he would’ve followed me there.
‘I was very concerned that would have put my family, my wife, my grandchildren at some sort of jeopardy.’
Searle also followed Mr Jones to Park Place Chambers in Cardiff, the court heard.
Mr Jones had returned from Newport Crown Court to Park Place Chambers where he had a conference scheduled for 2pm.
He then left his chambers at around 4.30pm as he was due to meet his family for dinner.
Mr Jones told the court via video-link: ‘I walked out of chambers, I came out [via] the security system at the back.
‘I saw my vehicle was there and parked in front was another member of chambers car, as I walked out, I immediately became aware of shouting and the person that was shouting was Christopher [Searle].
‘He was very angry… I came out and I saw that he was in the chambers carpark he had his phone… and he was berating me in regard to my conduct in the case against him.
‘He was stood very close to the front of the building and my vehicle which means I immediately turned around and walked back into chambers, I was in such a panic I couldn’t access my chamber security fob.
‘The best cause of action was to take out my phone, and, in order to protect myself, to film him.
‘He was shouting at me, calling me a ‘disgusting vile individual’ and that I should get my tongue out of Judge Jenkins’ backside.
‘I was distressed, I was worried, I was concerned, I was on my own at the back of chambers, it was half past four on a Friday afternoon, I had no idea how long he had been there.
‘He had clearly been waiting for me, It was a targeted approach…I don’t know how he knew I was in the building.’
One of Mr Jones’ colleagues arrived in the carpark shortly and dialled 999, the court heard.
Searle, who represented himself, said of his encounter with Judge Jenkins: ‘I waited. I did not follow him into town. I waited until he was in a safe place.’
In the 1991 movie Cape Fear – a remake of the 1962 film – Robert De Niro plays a convicted rapist who stalks the family of his own attorney
‘You may think that if I was stalking him I would have followed him into town.
‘Jenkins’ address is online, it can be seen by anyone. I could have gone to his address.’
‘I had no intention of stalking him and I don’t believe that the evidence shows that I was stalking him.’
He said of Mr Jones: ‘He says he was distressed. He decided to walk towards me and kept going, getting to around ten feet or less.
‘I had no intention to cause fear, alarm or distress to Mr Jones or Mr Jenkins.
‘I went there to express my feelings about the way my family had been treated.’
District Judge Tanweer Ikram found Searle guilty of stalking the judge and harassing the barrister.
He said Judge Jenkins: ‘He is paid to do his job. Judges and barristers know where these things can end up.
‘Judges and prosecutors have to be able to get on with it and not worry about the consequences of doing their job.’
Referring to the prosecutor Judge Ikram said: ‘He was clearly shocked and worried by you. He says that a consequence of that was that he cancelled a celebration he was due to have, he took his profile photo off his chambers website and has gone as far as installing security at his home address.’
‘I am sure you caused him harassment. I am absolutely sure of that.’
Judge Ikram bailed Searle ahead of sentence on August 25 and warned him: ‘I have to think about a prison sentence to send the message I need to send. I think it is that serious.’
Searle was bailed on condition he does not approach either man, does not enter the Park Place area and ‘does not post any content on social media relating to Mr Jones, Judge Jenkins, or the proceedings.’
Searle, of Tondu Road, Bridgend, denied but was convicted of stalking Judge Jenkins, without fear of alarm and distress, between 8 September and 13 September last year.
He was also convicted of using threatening, abusive, or insulting words with intent to cause Mr Jones harassment, alarm or distress cause alarm or distress and using a handheld mobile phone device while driving a Ford Puma.
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