Man Sentenced for Racist and Sexualized Harassment of BBC Actress and Sister

A 57-year-old man has been sentenced for stalking and sending racist and sexualized messages to BBC actress Eubha Akilade and her sister. Gary Summers targeted Eubha, who stars in the BBC crime drama 'Shetland,' and her sibling Eilidh, a writer and director. Both sisters are of Nigerian descent.

Summers sent emails to Eubha containing racist remarks, including suggestions that she would have "less virtue than say a typical white woman" due to her mixed race background and would be treated as a "second class citizen." He also suggested her mother would regret their births. To Eilidh, Summers sent a message describing an interview with her as one of the "most arousing and blissful experiences of my life."

Eubha's career was impacted by the harassment, leading her to take precautions and reduce her social media presence. She stated in her victim impact statement, "His voice became part of my internal monologue, which really impacted my self-esteem." She added, "My world became increasingly small."

Summers began stalking Eubha in person after discovering she lived in London. He then sent her a parcel containing a T-shirt with the slogan "We stand with Israel" and a handwritten note. DNA evidence and CCTV footage linked him to the delivery, leading to his arrest.

He was charged with two counts of racially aggravated stalking that caused serious alarm or distress, which occurred between January 2024 and October 2025. Summers pleaded guilty to the offenses at Ipswich Crown Court.

Recorder Jeremy Benson KC described Summers' messages as "thoroughly disgusting" and "revolting," stating, "You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself." Summers received a 30-month jail term, suspended for two years. He was also fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £1,000 in court costs and a statutory charge, totaling £3,687.

Summers is banned from contacting either victim unless otherwise directed by the court. Eubha Akilade has also appeared in BBC soaps 'Doctors' and 'Casualty,' and her sister Eilidh is described as a Glasgow-based writer, editor, and arts worker.