Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has said in court that he was chased by an alleged stalker wearing a balaclava near the Sandringham estate. The former Prince Andrew said he came face-to-face with a man suspected of stalking him near his Norfolk home in May.
Alex Jenkinson, 39, has been charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour against Andrew during an incident on May 6 in Norfolk. The former Duke of York said in a statement read at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today how the events unfolded when he was walking his dogs.
Incident details
He said he was walking the pets on the estate when he spotted a car, which he assumed belonged to press photographers. Then his security team ‘drove past the car.’ Suddenly, a man ‘turned and faced me – he was wearing a balaclava face covering,’ Andrew said.
Andrew 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.’
Legal proceedings
Suffolk Police are also applying for a civil Stalking Protection Order against Jenkinson based on evidence from Andrew and searches of Jenkinson’s phone. Jenkinson, originally from Stowmarket, Suffolk, is fighting the stalking order.
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 has pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of blood while in custody on May 6.
But he denies the public order offence against Andrew 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.
Upcoming hearings
Andrew is due to give evidence by videolink at the criminal trial, which has been set for December 21. Jenkinson is on bail over the criminal case, and conditions include prohibiting him from going near sites linked to the royal family like Sandringham, Buckingham Palace, Balmoral, Windsor and Highgrove. He must not try to contact Andrew directly or indirectly, approach him or enter Norfolk.
A pre-trial hearing has been set for January 22 at Loughborough Magistrates’ Court before a final hearing on February 16 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Courtroom drama
Today’s hearing took a dramatic turn as Jenkinson was blocked from entering the building because he insisted on bringing his dog, Indie, with him. Jenkinson’s lawyer, Claire Howell, told Judge Tan Ikram, that he has to bring the dog because he is homeless and living in a Travelodge and couldn’t leave the animal there.
She said Jenkinson suffers from ADHD. However, as the judge was not provided with documents to prove his medical condition and the need for a support animal, the dog was not permitted. Judge Ikram said: ‘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.’
