Jealous Raymond Blanc-trained chef who stalked his ex-partner and told police he wanted to kill her new lover avoids jail

• David Watts, 43, became ‘fixated’ with his ex Melissa Gray after their break-up

An acclaimed chef who stalked his ex-girlfriend and told police he wanted to kill her new lover has avoided jail.

David Watts, a Raymond Blanc-trained professional, became ‘fixated’ with his former partner Melissa Gray and visited her home on ‘multiple occasions’ throughout February and March, ‘spying’ on her through the windows. 

The 43-year-old, who admitted to police that he wanted to ‘kill’ his ex-partner’s new lover, said he had a ‘problem’ with him spending time with his and Ms Gray’s baby.

Watts admitted to tampering with cameras set up at Ms Gray’s home after being caught on CCTV at the house. He used the footage to tell his ex what he had discovered whilst watching her.

The highly rated chef was trained by Raymond Blanc at his twice Michelin starred restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, in Oxfordshire, where he worked for eight years and became senior sous chef.

David Watts escaped jail this week despite stalking his ex-girlfriend and telling police he wanted to kill her new lover

Watts became ‘fixated’ with his former partner Melissa Gray (pictured) and visited her home on ‘multiple occasions’ throughout February and March

The highly rated chef was trained by Raymond Blanc at his twice Michelin starred restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, in Oxfordshire (pictured with Blanc)

Watts took over the Crown Inn, in Upton, Hampshire in 2019 and it has since been awarded ‘Bib Gourmand’ status in the Michelin guide.

A court heard Watts, who also won Good Food Guide’s Chef to Watch accolade in 2013, and Ms Gray became a couple in 2021.

After things turned sour, over a three week period throughout February and March of this year Watts repeatedly turned up at her home in Andover.

He admitted making up that his other child wanted to see the baby he shared with Ms Gray as an ‘excuse’ to see her.

After admitting one charge of stalking at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court, Watts has been handed an 18-month community order, made up of 30 rehabilitation requirement days and 40 hours unpaid work.

Prosecutor Serena Edwards said: ‘There was a breakdown in the relationship, this led to the couple separating.

‘The defendant had become fixated on a male friend [of Ms Gray’s].’

The court heard Watts would ‘persistently’ message his ex-partner and visit her address to ‘to see what was going on’.

A court heard Watts, who also won Good Food Guide’s Chef to Watch accolade in 2013, and Ms Gray got together in 2021 and had a baby, before things turned sour (Watts with Greg Wallace, right)

After admitting one charge of stalking at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court, Watts has been handed an 18 month community order, made up of 30 rehabilitation requirement days and 40 hours unpaid work

Watts took over the Crown Inn, in Upton, Hampshire in 2019 (pictured) and it has since been awarded ‘Bib Gourmand’ status in the Michelin guide

Ms Edwards continued: ‘The defendant sent messages outside of [their arranged visits], saying how unhappy he was she had contact with this other male.

‘On a number of occasions he has been caught on CCTV… And admitted moving the location of the cameras, on occasions more than once in a day.

‘The defendant had become somewhat fixated on Ms Gray.’

In an interview with police, the court was told he ‘didn’t believe’ his behaviour amounted to stalking.

When asked if he was fixated with the other male, Watts admitted he said he ‘wanted to kill him’ in a ‘throwaway comment’.

Watts also admitted he did not want the man seeing his ex-partner or the baby.

The court heard he had also said things to Ms Gray about goings on in the property, which could only have been known from spying.

Ms Edwards added: ‘She wanted to feed the baby, have a bath and go to bed.

‘[Watts] had said he had seen the baby being winded by [the man] – he could only have known that from the window.’

A notice on display at The Crown Inn in Upton which is run by Watts

In an interview with police, the court was told he ‘didn’t believe’ his behaviour amounted to stalking. Pictured, The Crown Inn in Upton, where Watts works

At the latest sentencing hearing, a victim impact statement from Ms Gray was read out.

Ms Gray said ‘she still struggles to sleep’, suffers from anxiety, and ‘feels constantly sick when she thinks about what happened’.

Addressing Watts, District Judge Stephen Apted said Watts caused Ms Gray ‘stress and physiological harm’.

Judge Apted said: ‘It is clear your actions intended to cause fear and distress.

‘They were done over a three-week period where you were persistently messaging her and turning up at the address and in particular tampering with the CCTV camera.’

Judge Apted said it would be ‘impossible’ to successfully impose a restraining order to prevent contact with Ms Gray because they share a child.

Within his 18-month community order, Watts will have to complete 30 rehabilitation requirement days, as well as 40 hours unpaid work.

Watts was also ordered to pay victim surcharge and court costs totalling £199.

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