Corrie's Stephanie Beacham 'no longer feels safe' at home following armed raid

23 February 2023 , 00:17

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Stephanie Beacham is said to 'no longer feel safe' at home following an armed raid (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Actress Stephanie Beacham has admitted she no longer feels safe in her home and struggles to learn her lines after a terrifying armed raid.

The 75-year-old Coronation Street star was threatened with a 2ft metal bar and forced to hand over jewellery and money at her home in West London.

A court heard how "habitual career burglar" David Wilson, 57, broke in and raised a crowbar in a striking motion, saying: "Don't look at me!"

Prosecutor John Traversi said: "During the course of this incident, which was terrifying for Ms Beacham, she had real fears for her life."

Wilson, originally from Glasgow, was jailed for a total of 10 years and five months yesterday after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary, which took place last year, as well as a separate burglary in Sheffield on May 5, 2021.

Corrie star Stephanie Beacham 'confronted by hammer-wielding burglar' at home

Stephanie Beacham is said to 'no longer feel safe' in her home after an armed raid (Getty Images)

David Wilson, who has been jailed for 10 years and five months at Southwark Crown Court, for aggravated burglary and burglary (Metropolitan Police/PA Wire)

At Southwark crown court, Judge Martin Griffiths told him: "What you did had a traumatic effect on her.

"You violated the safe space of her home causing her to be suspicious of non-existent threats and even the difficulty of learning her lines when she goes for a job."

The former Dynasty star, who returned to Corrie as Martha Fraser last year – more than 12 years after her last appearance on the ITV soap – called the raid a "total violation of my privacy".

Reading from her victim statement, Mr Traversi said: "She says what she had considered her very safe, cosy, cottage no longer feels safe."

The court heard Ms Beacham has since doubled her sleep medication, suffers nightmares and panic attacks, and no longer walks her dog after dark.

Stephanie is best known for roles in shows like Coronation Street (Credit: ITV)

He said CCTV footage shows Wilson with his "jemmy" before climbing up and using the tool to open a Velux window to break into the Bayswater home.

He then threatened her with the metal bar before making off with her iPhone, a purse containing bank cards and driving licence, and a pair of earrings.

Wilson also admitted a separate burglary at an elderly woman's home in Sheffield, while she was in hospital, in which he stole a snooker medal, a step ladder and a mattress.

He has 64 previous convictions, including 34 for burglary or attempted burglary. Claire Mawer, defending, said her client had been addicted to crack cocaine and heroin since the age of 15, and had written a letter saying: "I understand the effect my offending had."

Matthew Young