Kidulthood star Adam Deacon barred from contact with ex-mentor and film’s director Noel Clarke over social media ‘trolling’

'Troll': Adam Deacon is best known as the character of Jay from the films Kidulthood and Adulthood
PA
Sebastian Mann20 August 2015
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Kidulthood star Adam Deacon has been given a restraining order for "trolling" the film's director Noel Clarke on Twitter.

Deacon, 32, subjected Clarke to a "barrage" of abusive messages following a row over the title of 2011 hit film Anuvahood.

In hundreds of "consistent and continuous" posts on social media he branded Clarke a "bully" before accusing him of sabotaging his career.

Oscar Merry, defending, said in mitigation that Deacon, who is currently unemployed, has a "history of mental health difficulties".

He added: "There was plainly a long-running feud between Mr Deacon and Mr Clarke dating back to 2010 at the very least.

"Perhaps Mr Deacon had justifiable reasons for feeling aggrieved towards Mr Clarke, perhaps he did not.

"What is clear is that his online trolling of Mr Clarke overstepped the mark from unreasonable behaviour to actions that were unacceptable."

Deacon is best known for playing the main character, Jay, in the films Kidulthood and Adulthood, which saw him appearing alongside Clarke.

Giving evidence, Deacon claimed he had not harassed Clarke, who seemed to "have it in" for him from the beginning.

"He would bully and belittle me on set in front of people - it would be a constant thing," the actor said.

However, he admitted posting some messages on Twitter making reference to bullying, but insisted these were not directed at Clarke.

A restraining order barring Deacon from contacting Clarke in any way, including on social media, was imposed along with a conditional discharge at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court today.

Deacon, from Bethnal Green, was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in January 2015 and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the court was told.

District Judge Shenagh Bayne previously said Deacon had made "veiled threats" by posting pictures of Clarke's family and had a "grievance that goes back a long time".

"The sheer number of messages that you sent is indicative of your intention to harass Mr Clarke," she added.

"You were aware of the effect that your behaviour would have."

Clarke, who starred in Doctor Who, said he was so worried about the content of the messages Deacon posted that he informed his children's school, which subsequently changed security codes around the building.

"You just don't know what is going to happen," he said.

Judge Bayne described Deacon's behaviour as "concerning" but said it was an "isolated incident which was occasioned by a breakdown in your mental health".

The restraining order and conditional discharge will both last for two years.

Additional reporting by PA

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