Woman faces charge over TV star

A woman from the Black Country has been charged with harassing BBC Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding through the internet.

Toneeta Beckford, aged 24, of New Hope Road, Smethwick, appeared at Warley Magistrates Court yesterday accused of sending obscene and abusive Facebook and Twitter messages and emails to the ex-police officer between September 6, 2009, and December 14, 2009.

Beckford, who wore a leopard print jacket and black trousers, spoke only to confirm her details and deny the charge and will face a trial in April.

She was bailed on the condition that she does not contact directly or indirectly the television presenter, who last year appeared on BBC1 show Strictly Come Dancing.

Beckford is due back at Warley Magistrates Court for a trial on April 8.

It has not yet been decided whether or not Rav Wilding will have to attend court.

The Kent-born presenter, aged 32, served with the police from 2000 until his television career took off.

He initially served as an officer in Peckham in south London and was involved in the high profile police investigation into the death of Damilola Taylor.

After successfully auditioning for a Channel 4 programme called Eden he spent three months in the jungle in Australia in 2002 before returning to the police force to work in CID.

Having also auditioned for children's programme Blue Peter he was offered a part on BBC's Crimewatch in 2004.

He formally resigned from the police following a period of unpaid leave in 2008.

He also works as a regular reporter on crime issues for The One Show and has appeared on a range of celebrity shows, including Ready Steady Cook and a celebrity edition of The Weakest Link, which he won in 2008.

He also showed off his skills last October on Strictly Come Dancing but was third to be eliminated.