Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor 'chased by masked stalker' near Sandringham home – see court witness statement

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has provided a witness statement in court after coming face-to-face with an alleged stalker wearing a balaclava. 

The former Duke of York, 66, told Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday that he was chased in a confrontation close to his Sandringham home, Marsh Farm, where he has lived for several months following his departure from Royal Lodge in Windsor. 

Alex Jenkinson, 39, is charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards the former Duke of York in Norfolk on 6 May.

Suffolk Police are also applying for a civil Stalking Protection Order against Jenkinson, relying on evidence from Andrew and searches on Jenkinson’s phone.

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At Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 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 royal said that when he was out for a walk with his dogs on the estate, 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".

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."

Why is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor involved in a court case?

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 6 May.

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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 5 May.

Andrew, whose daughters are Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, is due to give evidence by video link at the criminal trial, which has been set for 21 December.

What are the next steps in Andrew's case?

Judge Ikram ruled on Thursday 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.

"I am persuaded that fairness demands the respondent to these proceedings (Jenkinson) be allowed to call and cross-examine these witnesses", he said.

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At a hearing at the end of July, the court heard that evidence from Jenkinson’s phone – including alleged searches on Andrew, Sandringham and "weapons" – is due to feature in the trial.

In the criminal proceedings, Jenkinson is on bail with conditions not to go near several sites linked to the royal family – 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.