Rio stalker can appeal after telling court: I know him and he knows me

PREMIER League star Rio Ferdinand may have to face a stalker again.

A court today granted Susanne Ibru, 38, leave to appeal against her conviction for harassment and a 10-year restraining order to stop her bothering the Manchester United player and his family.

She was jailed for 10 weeks last month after Ferdinand, 32, said Ibru left him fearing for his family's safety by turning up at his home and demanding to speak to him.

Ibru, of no fixed address, told Judge David Hale at Warrington crown court: "I want to appeal against everything, the conviction, the sentence, the restraining order."

She told the court: "I know Ferdinand and he knows me, and I hope he opens his mouth and says that this time. Judge Hale replied: "That doesn't mean you never harassed him, what matters is how you contacted him."

Ibru told the court Ferdinand's statement had been "changed" by police and that she did not believe he wanted her prosecuted.

She also said she had not had time to prepare her grounds for appeal after being released from her prison sentence two weeks ago. Ian Davies, prosecuting, said he expected all the trial witnesses, including Ferdinand, to be re-called.

Ibru, who wants to be a sports agent, was living in Peckham when she made three 400-mile round trips to the star's home in Cheshire last year. She represented herself during her trial and cross-examined her victim.

She was convicted of harassment in her absence after fleeing the court, having inished her questioning of Ferdinand with the words: "I'll see you soon, bye."

She later pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer who was sent to arrest her.

Ibru's appeal will be heard by Judge Hale on October 11.