Musician Fears USA Ban For Malicious Campaign Against Two Men

A musician fears he will not be able to tour the USA after being convicted of sending malicious messages to two men.

Alexander Keevill, 35, the creative driving force behind The Microdance, left one recipient living in fear and needing counselling to get over the communication.

The public relations copywriter, of Balls Pond Road, Hackney pleaded guilty to two counts of sending communication of a threatening nature between October 26 and 30, last year.

"His ability to travel to America where he has the greatest number of followers may be effected by the nature of these offences," his QC Patrick Gibbs said.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Keevill has been diagnosed with Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

A pre-sentence report from the Probation Service concluded he was in "emotional turmoil" at the time of the offences.

One of the complainants, a physiotherapist, said in a victim impact statement: "I was in grave fear. It was callous and real.

"It has taken months to recover from the stress, has triggered depression and I have needed counselling.

"I went to the police because I couldn't sleep normally due to the remorseless and callous way this was conducted."

Judge Peter Lodder QC, the Recorder of Richmond-upon-Thames told the first-time offender: "You acted in a way calculated to maximise distress to your victims.

"You had not been taking your own medication...... you were rash and impulsive."

Keevill was sentenced to two months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, ordered to complete 150 hours community service work and pay £670 costs. 

Afterwards the musician said: "I am regretful of my actions and am fully understanding that I fell foul of the law through a stupid and rash response to discoveries I had made before committing the crime of malicious communications.

"This though was a response entirely determined by the emotions engendered by the nature of what constituted my provocation."