Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has shared that he came face-to-face with an alleged stalker wearing a balaclava who chased after him in a confrontation close to his Sandringham home, a court has heard. Alex Jenkinson, who is aged 39, has been charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards the King’s younger brother in Norfolk on May 6.
At Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier today, deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram read out parts of Andrew’s witness statement which is due to form the centrepiece of both legal proceedings. The incident occured when Andrew was out on a dog walk near his home.
The statement detailed how he spotted a car which he assumed to belong to press photographers, and then he and his security noted that they “drove past the car”.
Andrew then detailed how a man “turned and faced me – he was wearing a balaclava face covering”.
The 66-year-old also 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.”
Mr Jenkinson arrived at the court earlier today but, after arriving with his dog, he was blocked from entering the building by court officials.
Upon today’s refusal to enter court, 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.”
Mr 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 in Norfolk.
He 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.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is due to give evidence by videolink at the criminal trial, which has been set for December 21.