A Catford man has been found guilty of stalking ex-Eastenders actress Brooke Kinsella, who he showered with gifts before sending her a text saying “you will be my wife”.

For two years unemployed Paul Mason, of Farley Road, also sent personal messages to the actress – who he nicknamed ‘pumpkin’ – via Twitter and Facebook, followed her to events and even visited her brother’s grave.

In texts sent to Miss Kinsella’s phone, 44-year-old Mason, who obtained her number through a website, wrote: “Your wedding dress is ready pumpkin” and “Pumpkin I will be coming down Saturday to see you and the kids” – in reference to the True Stars Academy, her performing arts school for children in Hoxton, north London.

Miss Kinsella, 31, who yesterday (November 19) gave evidence from behind a curtain at Bexley Magistrates’ Court, said she asked for Mason’s messages to be blocked from the Facebook page of the Ben Kinsella Trust which was set up to educate schools on knife crime following the fatal stabbing of her brother in 2008.

But Mason continuously set up new Facebook accounts which Abigail Kegg, manager of the trust, recognised due to the personal nature of interactions sent.

In August last year Mason attended the charity offices at the Lions Leisure Centre, adjacent to Millwall Football Club, to give Miss Kinsella gifts of perfume, a ring, oils, a scarf and numerous CDs containing his own recordings.

He was met by Miss Kegg who confronted him on his relationship with the actress.

She told Mason: “I don’t think Brooke is expecting you, I don’t think she wants your gift and I don’t think she is your friend.”

Giving evidence, Miss Kegg told the court how at this point Mason lifted his shirt and showed her a “huge scar” on his stomach he claimed was the result of being stabbed several years ago.

Miss Kegg told Mason she would accept the gifts on Miss Kinsella’s behalf on the condition he leaves.

On another occasion in April, an open day was arranged at Millwall where Mason approached and hugged the actress who subsequently informed a police friend and sought advice.

On April 10 he was arrested on suspicion of stalking.

At his home police found a poster of Miss Kinsella on the wall and a series of hand-written love letters on his bed.

During the trial, an erratic Mason lifted his shirt to caress his scar, mumbled to himself in the dock and tried to take evidence claiming the love letters he wrote were part of his autobiography.

Mason was found guilty of stalking and will be sentenced on December 10.

 

Following his unusual behaviour during the trial Mason's disturbing behaviour continued when he followed our News Shopper reporter back to the newsroom. The reporter was safely escorted by a Southeasten supervisor on the train.