Daniel Bannister, 51, a convicted killer who stalked singer Cheryl Tweedy, has been moved from prison to a secure psychiatric hospital. The transfer occurred after Bannister spent five months incarcerated and was made by health service bosses and the Ministry of Justice ahead of his scheduled release.
As a patient under the Mental Health Act, Bannister will receive round-the-clock care from nurses and psychologists. The annual cost of his care is estimated at £300,000, significantly higher than the £60,000 cost for a prison place.
Bannister was jailed for one year last September for breaching a restraining order by appearing at Tweedy's home for a fourth time. The singer stated in court that she felt "terrified" and "on edge" due to his actions, which also caused fear in her nine-year-old son. She has since hired personal security.
He was released shortly after his September sentencing, but was returned to prison in January for violating the conditions of his halfway house stay. He was reportedly found to have alcohol in his room, a breach of his license. The Ministry of Justice confirmed a recall warrant was issued on January 13.
Bannister's harassment campaign against Tweedy began in January 2024 and continued after the death of her former partner, Liam Payne, in October 2024. Tweedy, 43, told the court that Bannister's appearances intensified her worry about his intentions.
During a previous court appearance, Judge Alan Blake had warned Bannister that Tweedy did not wish for contact and that he was causing her anxiety, urging him to cease the behavior. Bannister arrived at Tweedy's home for the fourth time on June 19, ringing the intercom and peering over the gate. He had reportedly believed Tweedy had invited him over via Microsoft Teams.
Bannister has a prior conviction for manslaughter, having been jailed in 2012 for assaulting Rajendra Patel, 48, at a south London homeless shelter. He was a musician and a highly trained figure skater in his youth.