Maha Christopher
American singer Sabrina Carpenter has filed a civil harassment restraining order against a man she alleges repeatedly stalked her and attempted to enter her Los Angeles home, leaving her in fear for her safety.
According to ABC News, the 27 year old “Espresso” singer filed the petition on May 29 against 31 year old William Applegate, alleging that he arrived at her residence on May 23 uninvited and tried to force his way inside.
In a declaration filed with the court, Carpenter alleged that Applegate trespassed onto a neighbouring property to bypass security barriers protecting her home before approaching her front door.
She claimed that Applegate “physically grabbed the lever of my front door and forcefully pushed it down, actively trying to force his way inside my home without any invitation, permission, or consent whatsoever.”
According to the filing, Applegate allegedly knocked on the door and rang the doorbell before a member of Carpenter’s security team intervened and physically removed him from the property. Despite this, he reportedly refused to leave until officers from the Los Angeles Police Department arrived.
LAPD Detective Peter Doomanis stated in a separate declaration that Applegate was arrested and taken into custody for criminal trespass.
Doomanis also noted that Carpenter was “in genuine fear for her personal safety” during the incident and “continues to fear for her safety to this day.”
Court documents further alleged that after being released from custody, Applegate returned to the vicinity of Carpenter’s home on May 24 and May 25.
Private security guard Jorge Lepe said he observed an individual matching Applegate’s description parking near the singer’s residence, sleeping in a vehicle for several hours and later relocating closer to the property.
Another security guard, Hasan Brown, alleged that Applegate was again seen parked near the pedestrian entrance to Carpenter’s home on May 25.
Brown claimed the suspect reclined his seat fully in what appeared to be an attempt to conceal himself from view and remained near the property for several hours even after police officers had spoken with him.
According to Brown, Applegate’s vehicle had been seen repeatedly around Carpenter’s neighbourhood since April, with the vehicle gradually parking closer to her residence over time.
The restraining order also seeks protection for Carpenter’s sister, Sarah Carpenter, and her partner, George Smith, who reside at the property.
“The totality of Applegate’s conduct has caused me significant and ongoing fear for my personal safety and the safety of all individuals residing in my home,” Carpenter stated in her declaration.
She described the alleged attempts to enter her home as “among the most disturbing violations of personal safety and privacy I have ever experienced.”
Carpenter further alleged that Applegate’s behaviour demonstrated a “dangerous, delusional, and irrational fixation” on her.
“His pattern of stalking, trespassing, and surveillance has caused me severe and ongoing emotional distress, and I am in fear of what he may do if he is not restrained by this Court,” she said.
ABC News reported that no criminal charges have been filed against Applegate by the District Attorney’s Office.
