Part of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s witness statement was read out in court today after Alex Jenkinson, 39, was charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards him during a confrontation in May
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor said he was chased after coming face-to-face with an alleged balaclava-clad stalker, following a confrontation near his Sandringham home, a court has heard.
Alex Jenkinson, 39, is charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards the King’s brother and former Duke of York in Norfolk on May 6. Suffolk Police is also applying for a civil Stalking Protection Order against Jenkinson, relying on evidence from Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and searches on Jenkinson’s phone.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram read out parts of the ex-prince’s witness statement at Westminster Magistrates Court today, which is due to form the centrepiece of both legal proceedings.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor said he was out for a walk with his dogs on the estate when he spotted a car, which he assumed to belong to press photographers, and then he and his security detail “drove past the car”.
He said a man “turned and faced me – he was wearing a balaclava face covering”. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor provided a description of the “out-of-place” man, and added in his statement: “I then saw a loose dog running towards him. Then he realised who I was and began to sprint after my vehicle.”
Jenkinson was blocked from entering the court building today by officials after he arrived with his dog, Indie, and today’s hearing took place in his absence.
His lawyer, Claire Howell, told Judge Ikram: “He has had to bring his dog with him, so he wasn’t allowed inside the court. He is homeless and currently in accommodation in a Travelodge. He is not allowed to leave the dog there. It provides him with support, he suffers from ADHD.”
She added that she had no documents to prove Jenkinson’s medical condition, or his need for a support animal, but the judge told her: “I’m not prepared to have a dog in the courtroom simply because he is homeless and he happens to keep a dog. I’m not saying he is not telling the truth, but there’s nothing to corroborate it.”
He added: “We accommodate people who have ADHD and have support animals. I would want something more than he is homeless and happens to have a dog.” The judge heard and agreed an application for the police bid for a Stalking Protection Order to be adjourned, and decided the hearing could take place in Jenkinson’s absence.
Ms Howell told the court Jenkinson has now been found temporary accommodation where he can leave the dog for future hearings, and she added: “I don’t want to give character evidence on behalf of the dog, but having spent the last hour and a half with him, I can say he is a very well-behaved animal.”
Jenkinson is accused of causing the former Duke of York to “fear unlawful violence” during the confrontation in Wolferton, close to his Marsh Farm property. Jenkinson was detained under the Mental Health Act for around a month afterwards. He pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of blood while in custody on May 6.
But he denied the public order offence against Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and has also pleaded not guilty to a further charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence against another man, Stephen Terry, in King’s Lynn, on May 5.
Andrew was due to give evidence by video link at the criminal trial, which has been set for December 21. Jenkinson, from Stowmarket, Suffolk, was also fighting the making of the Stalking Protection Order. Judge Ikram ruled today that the former duke, as well as Mr Terry and an eyewitness to the Norfolk incident, must give evidence for a second time at the hearing to determine the Stalking Protection Order application.
He said: “I am persuaded that fairness demands the respondent to these proceedings (Jenkinson) be allowed to call and cross-examine these witnesses”.
At a hearing at the end of July, the court heard that evidence from Jenkinson’s phone – including alleged searches on the former Duke of York, Sandringham and ‘weapons’ – is due to feature in the trial.
In the criminal proceedings, Jenkinson is on bail with conditions not to go near a number of sites linked to the Royal Family. These are Sandringham, Buckingham Palace, Balmoral, Windsor and Highgrove. He must also not try to contact Andrew directly or indirectly, or approach him or enter Norfolk.
As the hearing concluded, Judge Ikram extended the interim Stalking Protection Order against Jenkinson, he set a pre-trial hearing at Loughborough Magistrates’ Court for January 22, and said the final hearing would take place at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on February 16.
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