Man admits stalking Joe Sugg for four years

Robert Beckman, 31, has pleaded guilty to stalking the YouTuber Joe Sugg over a four-year period. The campaign of harassment, which began in August 2022, involved a barrage of emails, social media comments, and letters. Beckman admitted to pursuing a course of conduct that amounted to stalking, causing Sugg 'serious alarm and distress' which had a substantial adverse effect on his daily activities. Sugg, 35, was not present at Brighton Crown Court for the hearing on Wednesday.

Cross-Atlantic Stalking Campaign

Beckman, who is from Michigan in the USA, travelled to the UK specifically to stalk Sugg. Court documents state that messages were sent from various locations, including Gatwick Airport. The stalking messages continued until last month, according to reports from Brighton Crown Court. The charge detailed that Beckman knew or ought to have known his actions would cause alarm or distress.

Further Charges and Sentencing

In addition to the stalking charge, Beckman also pleaded guilty to failing to provide investigators with a key or passcode for his phone. He was supported in court by his father. Beckman was remanded in custody following the hearing and is due to be sentenced next month. He was told he would be facing jail time.

Joe Sugg, who found fame as a YouTuber in the 2010s, lives near Brighton with his partner, professional dancer Dianne Buswell. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Bowden, in March. They met when they were paired on the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing in 2018.