George obsessed with female TV stars, hears Dando trial

A MAN obsessed with celebrities and female television personalities murdered the popular BBC presenter Jill Dando in an unprovoked killing almost a decade ago, a court was told yesterday.

Barry George, 48, had a hatred for the public broadcaster, was fascinated with weapons and frequently stalked women near Dando’s Fulham home, the Old Bailey was told. The 37-year-old Crimewatch presenter was gunned down in her doorway in April 1999.

Prosecutors told the jury there was direct evidence linking George — who has a personality disorder — to the crime, while various additional strands of circumstantial evidence “provide a compelling case”.