A man has been handed a two-year restraining order and an 18-month community order for stalking Liverpool Women’s player Marie Hobinger.
Mangal Dalal, 42, sent repeated inappropriate and sexualised messages to Hobinger on Instagram over a three-week period from January 27, 2024, before later waiting for her by the side of the pitch following a match.
Dalal, of Hyde Park Gardens, Westminster, sent the 24-year-old Austrian messages pictures of his underwear, as well as saying ‘I want to have your babies’. He also sent her details of her address and postcode and told him he loved her and ‘wished that we had slept together’.
In February 2024, Dalal, who works in investment with a ‘strong income’, travelled from London to Manchester to attend Liverpool Women’s Super League away match against Manchester City in an attempt to see her.
Hobinger had alerted the club to the messages and, due to concerns for her safety, was assigned a safety officer to accompany her to matches.
During the game at Manchester City’s Joie Stadium, a steward identified Dalal in the crowd and raised the alarm. He was subsequently questioned by police, during which he admitted the conduct but claimed he was mentally unwell at the time.
A man has been handed a two-year restraining order for stalking stalking Liverpool Women’s player Marie Hobinger
Mangal Dalal, 42, sent repeated inappropriate and sexualised messages to Hobinger over a three-week period before later waiting for her by the side of the pitch after a match
Hobinger, who was not present at Dalal’s sentencing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, said in her victim impact statement how she had been left struggling to sleep and was alert to noises at her home – in which she lives alone – due to concerns that he had discovered where she lived.
‘I became anxious in the car park at night and would rush inside. I knew I was safe but I still felt anxiety being on my own. It’s not a nice feeling to be like that.
‘I felt uncomfortable and my thoughts were not on my game as much as they should have been. When fans were taking pictures from the crowd it made me feel insecure about who was taking them.
‘I love matchdays and this should be a time when I should be feeling confident and strong. Someone from Liverpool football club also had to escort me home. The club has been amazing and it has been hard to deal with the situation.
‘Although it has not affected my mental health, it has caused me stress and anger. It makes me sad that women’s football is sexualised and disrespected. No woman, no matter what her job is, should have to put up with this type of behaviour.’
Dalal’s lawyer, Daniel Lister, described how Dalal, who suffers from bipolar disorder, had been experiencing a manic episode with psychotic features during the period in which he was sending Hobinger messages. During this period, he had also been ‘walking around barefoot, preaching sermons on the streets of London’.
Lister also described how Dalal had since sent Liverpool FC a statement in which he had apologised to Hobinger, and expressed remorse for his actions.
Sentencing Dalal at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Judge Hina Rai said: ‘I find your conduct was very serious, notwithstanding the messages were sent on social media.
Hobinger had alerted Liverpool to the messages and, due to concerns for her safety, was assigned a safety officer to accompany her to matches
‘Ms Hobinger also experienced a repeat flare up of a skin condition due to the stress and anxiety caused by your actions. When considering the culpability and harm factors, I consider it was not prolonged.
‘I have considered carefully that you are of previous good character and have no previous convictions. I have also considered the medical reports concerning your actions.’
Dalal, who was wearing a white shirt and blue trousers, will be required to undergo 25 days of rehabilitation alongside serving an 18-month community order. The total he owes the court is £764.
He will not be allowed to visit Liverpool’s training ground, Melwood, or the home stadiums of Liverpool women’s team – St Helens or Anfield.
Hobinger joined Liverpool in July 2023 and featured in every match during her first season at the club. She is currently sidelined with a long-term knee injury sustained in October.
