In recent developments in London, Myra Carvalho, a Brazilian national, has been sentenced to a 14-week jail term for sending an overwhelming 8,000 cards to British pop star Harry Styles within a month.
The verdict was delivered at Harrow Crown Court, where Carvalho pleaded guilty to charges of stalking that caused “serious alarm or distress.”
Alongside her imprisonment, Carvalho has been subjected to a 10-year restraining order, prohibiting her from attending any event involving Styles or contacting him. This restriction extends to certain areas of north-west London and entails a victim surcharge of £134.
According to court proceedings, Carvalho, who has resided in the UK since December, operated from a backpacker hostel in south-west London. Her obsession with Styles led her to send handwritten letters and purchase online cards, which were delivered directly to his residence. Notably, some of these correspondences included wedding cards, with two letters being hand-delivered.
This case underscores the persistent issue of celebrity stalking, reminiscent of a previous incident involving Styles in 2019 when he was harassed by Pablo Tarazaga-Orero, a homeless man. Styles has spoken out about the psychological toll such incidents have taken on him, prompting him to bolster his home security and personal safety measures.
This development underscores the seriousness with which UK courts address stalking and harassment, aiming to safeguard individuals’ privacy and well-being.
