Ellie Dadd, a 19-year-old actress known for her role as Amy Mitchell in the popular British soap opera EastEnders, endured a harrowing seven-month stalking ordeal orchestrated by 21-year-old Cora Upple. Upple’s relentless campaign of harassment, primarily conducted through social media, involved a barrage of posts and stories directly tagging Dadd and referencing her personal life. This obsessive behavior, which began in 2024, escalated to a point where Dadd felt compelled to seek legal protection, ultimately obtaining a restraining order against her tormentor. The incident underscores the growing vulnerability of public figures, particularly in the digital age, where social media platforms can be weaponized by stalkers to invade the privacy and disrupt the lives of their targets.
Upple’s actions extended beyond mere online interactions; they represented a serious breach of privacy and a violation of a pre-existing stalking prevention order issued against her in October 2023. This prior order highlights a concerning pattern of behavior and raises questions about the efficacy of such preventative measures. Upple’s persistence in targeting Dadd despite the existing order underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement and the justice system in effectively deterring and managing individuals with obsessive tendencies. The case also exposes the limitations of social media platforms in preventing the misuse of their services for harassment and stalking.
The details of Upple’s harassment, as revealed in court records from the Medway Magistrates’ Court, paint a disturbing picture of targeted online harassment. Upple’s constant tagging and references to Dadd in her online posts created an environment of fear and anxiety for the young actress. This relentless pursuit significantly impacted Dadd’s sense of security and well-being, highlighting the psychological toll that stalking can take on its victims. The court acknowledged the severity of Upple’s actions, recognizing that her behavior constituted harassment and caused considerable distress to Dadd.
Despite the seriousness of the offense, Upple avoided immediate imprisonment. Following her guilty plea in August 2024, she was remanded in custody until her sentencing before Christmas. A judge at Maidstone Crown Court ultimately handed down a suspended nine-month jail sentence, meaning Upple would only serve time in prison if she breached the terms of her sentence within the next 15 months. This decision, while perhaps offering Upple a chance for rehabilitation, also raises concerns about the adequacy of the punishment given the repetitive nature of her offense and the potential risk to Dadd’s safety.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Upple was subjected to a five-year stalking prevention order, which aims to restrict her contact with Dadd and prevent further harassment. However, this measure, while intended to protect Dadd, only addresses the immediate threat. The incident raises broader questions about the long-term safety of celebrities and the need for more robust protective measures. The ease with which Upple was able to access and target Dadd online highlights the challenges of safeguarding individuals in the digital age, where information is readily available and platforms can be exploited for malicious purposes.
Dadd’s experience mirrors a growing trend of celebrity stalking incidents, including those involving prominent figures like pop star Cheryl Tweedy and Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas. These cases underscore the vulnerability of public figures to unwanted attention and harassment, both online and offline. The increasing prevalence of such incidents calls for a more comprehensive approach to addressing stalking, encompassing preventative measures, stronger legal frameworks, and improved support systems for victims. The incident involving Ellie Dadd serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and proactive measures to protect individuals from the devastating impacts of stalking.
