Ferdinand stalker charged with assaulting officer

A WOMAN who stalked Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand was charged with a further offence of assaulting a police officer.

Susanne Ibru, 38, appeared at Crewe Magistrates’ Court after being arrested yesterday under a warrant issued when she fled her trial on Monday.

She allegedly assaulted a female police officer in the course of her duties.

“During the course of that arrest an incident occurred which led to a further charge of assaulting a constable,” prosecutor Ian Davies told yesterday’s hearing.

Ibru was convicted of harassment on Monday after her trial heard she left the footballer fearing for his family’s safety by repeatedly turning up at his Cheshire home.

The star said he was upset by the “unwanted and unwarranted” visits from the woman, whom he had never met.

Davies yesterday gave District Judge Nicholas Sanders a list of previous convictions, which included an attempted wounding with intent, for which she was jailed for three years in 2003.

Ibru also has convictions for carrying an article with a blade dating back to the 1990s, the judge said, as he read from the list.

More recently, she was convicted of criminal damage in 2003 and a public order offence in 2006.

Ibru also pleaded guilty yesterday to breaching her bail conditions by arriving 90 minutes late for Monday’s trial.

Simon Leech, defending, said it was a genuine error as she went to the wrong court building.

Judge Sanders said he would not pass sentence on the harassment and bail matters as he wanted the matter adjourned for reports. He indicated he will consider a community punishment.

Ibru will face Warrington magistrates on May 9 over the alleged assault of a police officer, which is being dealt with separately.

In the meantime, she will appear before Judge Sanders again today, when he will consider a bail application.

The defendant was remanded in custody overnight to enable police to establish where she lives.