A pensioner has pleaded guilty to stalking Sky News anchor Cathy Newman, admitting to sending her letters containing "explicit sexual remarks" and underwear over a two-year period.
Christopher McKeever, 76, sent "unwanted letters" with lewd language and "gifts" including a "multi-pack of white briefs" and flowers to Ms. Newman between July 3, 2024, and April 12, 2026. He continued these actions despite repeated warnings from Ms. Newman's then-employer, ITN, which produces Channel 4 News. ITN's legal team issued a "cease and desist letter" on April 8, 2025, followed by another on November 6, 2025.
Appearing at Colchester Magistrates Court and representing himself, McKeever admitted to a course of conduct that amounted to stalking. The prosecution stated that he sent gifts "which you knew or ought to have known amounted to the harassment of her."
McKeever pleaded guilty to a single charge of stalking without fear, alarm, or distress in Essex. The offense carries a maximum jail term of 51 weeks and an unlimited fine.
Prosecutor Natalie Roberts informed the court that McKeever has two previous convictions for similar offenses from January 2014 and January 2016. The case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and for Ms. Newman to submit a victim impact statement.
Under his bail conditions, McKeever is prohibited from contacting Ms. Newman "in any form whatsoever." He is scheduled to appear in court again on January 25, 2027.
Ms. Newman, who left Channel 4 News earlier this year to host a nightly politics show on Sky News, was not present for the guilty plea. She also presents a weekly show on Times Radio. In 2018, she received death threats and misogynistic abuse following an interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson. In 2014, another man was ordered not to approach her or the ITN building after allegedly sending her 100,000 tweets and attempting to kiss her. Last year, she was recognized as 'Journalist of the Year' at the Royal Television Society Journalism Awards for her reporting on the Church of England abuse scandal.