A man who stalked Liverpool Women player Marie Hobinger has been handed a two-year restraining order and sentenced to 18 months of community service.
Mangal Dalal, 42, repeatedly sent Hobinger sexually explicit messages on Instagram, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
Between January and February 2025, the midfielder received a series of inappropriate messages from Dalal, which included pictures of underwear. Dalal told Hobinger he wanted to rip her shorts off and that he wanted to have babies with her.
In a victim impact statement, Hobinger said she had been left distressed by the situation and that her performances on the pitch were affected.
She said: “This incident has meant I now struggle to sleep. I live on my own, and being on my own at home I become anxious and scared – any noise I fear the male may have found out where I lived.
“When it is dark I found myself looking over my shoulder. I know I was safe, but felt anxiety and rushed inside. It is not a nice feeling especially when your home is meant to be a safe place.”
Dalal, who is from west London, had pleaded guilty to stalking at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court in December.
At sentencing on Tuesday, district judge Hina Rai told him: “The nature and tone of the highly sexualised content was distressing and caused her to be fearful of her surroundings and affected her daily life.”
Hobinger added that the messages had left her feeling distracted during games and when fans were taking photos from the stands, she was concerned about who was taking them.
She said: “I love match days and this is a time when I should feel focused and strong. Although I am in the public eye I do not feel it is acceptable to receive sexually explicit messages.
“I do not feel that it is acceptable women’s football is sexualised and disrespected. No woman, no matter what her job, should have to put up with this kind of behaviour.”
Hobinger, who is currently sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, praised the support of Liverpool. The club issued a safety officer to travel with the midfielder to games after she had alerted the club to the messages.
Dalal included his mobile number and postcode in the sexually explicit messages and also asked her to visit.
He had travelled to Liverpool’s game at Manchester City last February and was waiting for Hobinger by the side of the pitch but was identified by a steward, who alerted Liverpool’s safety officer.
He later admitted this in a police interview but said he had been mentally unwell.
The defence said Dalal was of previous good character and worked in investments but was suffering a psychotic episode from a diagnosed condition at the time the offence took place.
As well as the restraining order and community service, Dalal will have to undergo 25 days of rehabilitation and pay £764 in court costs.
