Liverpool Women's player 'anxious and scared' after being stalked with vile explicit messages

Liverpool FC Women's player Marie Hobinger received explicit Instagram messages from Mangal Dalal, 42, who was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates' Court after admitting stalking

Marie Hobinger during Liverpool training(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

A man has received a sentence following his stalking of Liverpool FC Women player Marie Hobinger.

Westminster Magistrates' Court learnt how the Reds midfielder endured distress and witnessed her on-pitch displays deteriorate after receiving unwanted sexual communications through Instagram from 42 year old Mangal Dalal.

The court heard the Liverpool Women's player altered her daily habits, steered clear of mixing with fans on matchdays, and felt increased unease in her own residence. Dalal, residing in Marylebone, west London, was handed an 18-month community order, a two-year restraining order, and instructed to pay costs alongside a victim surcharge.

He had pleaded guilty to the stalking charge at Liverpool Magistrates' Court in December. Delivering the sentence on Tuesday, District Judge Hina Rai stated: "The nature and tone of the highly sexualised content was distressing and caused her to be fearful of her surroundings and affected her daily life."

Dalal forwarded Ms Hobinger, 24, images of underwear and expressed his desire to tear her shorts off, prosecutor David Burns informed the court. He also dispatched explicit communications and told Ms Hobinger he wished to father children with her.

The strain of the circumstances triggered a recurrence of a skin ailment she had previously endured, the court was informed, reports the Liverpool Echo.

In her victim impact statement, she revealed: "This incident has meant I now struggle to sleep. I live on my own, and being on my own at home I become anxious and scared – any noise I fear the male may have found out where I lived.

"When it is dark I found myself looking over my shoulder. I know I was safe, but felt anxiety and rushed inside. It is not a nice feeling especially when your home is meant to be a safe place."

She also disclosed that the experience had "affected my performance on the pitch". When fans approach seeking photographs, Ms Hobinger explained "I often shy away as I feel insecure" and tends to steer clear of such encounters.

She continued: "I love match days and this is a time when I should feel focused and strong. Although I am in the public eye I do not feel it is acceptable to receive sexually explicit messages.

"I do not feel that it is acceptable women's football is sexualized and disrespected. No woman, no matter what her job, should have to put up with this kind of behaviour."

Marie Hobinger celebrates after scoring for Liverpool(Image: )

Ms Hobinger commended her club as "amazing" for the assistance offered whilst handling the father-of-two's relentless unwelcome contact.

The court heard that Dalal incorporated his mobile number and postcode within the sexually explicit messages, which were dispatched between January 27 and February 16 last year. He also requested her to visit.

Worries regarding the Austrian player's welfare grew to such a degree that the club's safety officer escorted her to matches.

Dalal made the journey to an away fixture in Manchester last February, and was observed pitchside at the conclusion of the game.

He subsequently acknowledged this during a police interview but claimed he had been suffering from mental health issues. Daniel Lister, representing Dalal in court, explained that his client had no prior criminal record and was employed in the investment sector, but was experiencing a psychotic episode stemming from a diagnosed medical condition during the period he made contact with Ms Hobinger.

Dalal was "in the midst of a health crisis" and was observed without shoes, delivering sermons on the street, which led his former wife to attempt to arrange medical assistance.