Man, 61, found guilty of stalking former Tory minister Penny Mordaunt

"An former councillor has been convicted of stalking the former Conservative MP and leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt. Edward Brandt, 61, bombarded the former defence secretary with emails and voicemails and tried to jump the security barrier at her office. Mordaunt, 52, cried as she told a court she feared for her own safety as a result of Brandt's persistent behaviour. The politician said she had to get colleagues to walk her to and from her car, change her office security and stop using public transport. Brandt claimed he was not going to commit sexual violence and his only interest in Mordaunt was purely political and congratulatory."

"It is clear that this is not a normal pattern of behaviour and it is obsessive. I became increasingly concerned about his behaviour in the wake of his visit to my office. He was repeatedly saying how chivalrous and gentlemanly he was being in his approaches that I think it was an indication of his frustration and a true indication of why he wanted to meet with me. I found them obsessive and cr"

"Brandt, from Freshwater on the Isle of Wight, stalked the former Portsmouth North MP between September 2023 and May 2024. He went to Mordaunt's office in Portsmouth in December 2023 and tried to jump the barrier, before being stopped by security, the court heard. The jury heard that 10 of his messages referenced wanting to shake her hand. Mordaunt said it had taken a toll on her entire team and her foster child, whom she had to tell not to open the front door out of fear Brandt would come to her address."

Edward Brandt, 61, was convicted of stalking Penny Mordaunt following repeated emails, voicemails and an attempt to jump the security barrier at her Portsmouth office. The behaviour occurred between September 2023 and May 2024. Mordaunt experienced fear for her safety, cried in court and altered daily routines by changing office security, avoiding public transport and arranging escorts to and from her car. Ten of Brandt's messages referenced wanting to shake her hand. Brandt claimed his interest was political and congratulatory and denied intent to commit sexual violence. Sentencing is scheduled for January.

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