Key Highlights
- Sabrina Carpenter has been granted a temporary restraining order against William Applegate.
- Carpenter claims multiple incidents of trespassing and surveillance at her home.
- The incident on 23 May involved Applegate trying to enter Carpenter’s house after trespassing onto her neighbor’s property.
- Applegate is due in criminal court the following day for his arrest for criminal trespassing.
Sabrina Carpenter Takes Legal Action Against Stalker
Pop star Sabrina Carpenter has found herself in a familiar and disturbing situation, this time with legal action. The Grammy winner recently obtained a temporary restraining order against William Applegate after a series of “deeply alarming” incidents at her home.
The Incidents
In court documents seen by the BBC’s US partner CBS, Carpenter outlines that she is seeking a full court order against Applegate. The singer alleges that he tried to force his way into her house in Los Angeles last month and returned twice more, leaving her in significant fear for her personal safety.
The Most Alarming Incident
One particularly disturbing incident on 23 May involved Applegate making his way to Carpenter’s front door after trespassing onto her neighbor’s property. He tried to open the door and rang the bell, refusing to leave until police arrived to arrest him.
“He fabricated the outrageous and entirely false claim that he personally knew me and that I was expecting him,” Carpenter wrote in a signed declaration. “This was a complete lie.”
Recurring Behavior
Carpenter also reported Applegate loitering outside her house for hours less than 24 hours later, and parking his car outside her home the next day. The singer stated that these incidents were among the most disturbing violations of personal safety and privacy she has ever experienced.
Legal Measures
Carpenter is asking for a restraining order to protect herself and two other residents who live with her: her sister and her sister’s boyfriend. On Friday, a judge temporarily granted the request, ordering Applegate to stay at least 100 yards from Carpenter, her home, her car, and her workplace.
A follow-up court hearing is set for 17 June. Meanwhile, Applegate faces criminal charges for his arrest on criminal trespassing.
Expert Analysis
Detective Peter Doomanis of the Los Angeles Police Department filed a declaration supporting Carpenter’s petition, stating that Applegate has “developed a disturbing and irrational fixation” on her. He added that the pattern of behavior reflects the hallmarks of a fixated, obsessional individual.
“This trajectory is consistent with well-documented patterns of stalking behaviour that pose a serious and escalating risk to victim safety,” Doomanis said.
The case highlights the ongoing battle against stalker behavior in the entertainment industry. As Carpenter navigates this challenging situation, fans are left wondering if these kinds of incidents have become more common or if they’re simply more publicized due to social media’s role in amplifying such stories.
