Christine Lampard 'hid from stalker behind her sofa'

Ordeal: Christine Lampard was bombarded with letters
Dave Benett
WEST END FINAL

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An aspiring actor who was obsessed with Christine Lampard has admitted a stalking campaign which left the TV star cowering behind her sofa in fear.

Christof King, 39, believed the Loose Women presenter was speaking to him during her TV appearances, and insisted that they shared a “pre-destined emotional relationship”.

He bombarded her with “strange” letters and turned up unannounced last year at the £10 million Chelsea home she shares with her husband, former Chelsea star Frank Lampard, Isleworth crown court heard.

King, who had been due to fight the case at trial next week, pleaded guilty to stalking this morning and now faces a possible prison sentence.

Facing jail: Christof King pleaded guilty to stalking TV host Christine Lampard
PA

However, he continues to deny part of the allegation, that he sent Mrs Lampard a string of disturbing tweets including reference to her “crucifixion” and words on her gravestone.

Judge Robin Johnson will rule on the extent of stalking campaign following a hearing on Monday next week.

“This is an allegation over a sustained period, of harassment targeted against the complainant, a TV presenter,” said prosecutor Alastair Smith.

Torment: Christine and Frank Lampard
Dave Benett

He said the stalking included “letters sent directly to the complainant’s home and ultimately attending her family home.

“He repeatedly attempted to make direct contact with her.

“The motivation appears to be a belief there’s a form of bond or pre-destined emotional relationship between him and Mrs Lampard.

“This includes the complainant directing comments to him in the course of her TV appearances.”

John Oliver, defending, said King admits sending the letters and showing up at her home unannounced.

He told the court Mrs Lampard says in her witness statement that she found the letters “strange” and changed her daily routine as a result of the pursuit.

“She felt anxiety of the day he arrived at her address and she felt the need to hide behind the sofa,” he added.

The court heard King denies sending up to 15 tweets to the TV star in 2015, including one which read: “I can hear the screeching of nails as I sharpen them ahead of your crucifixion.”

Another he allegedly sent referred to “planning the words that will go on your gravestone.”

Mr Smith said the tweets are “the most directly disturbing and threatening aspect of that conduct”, and the prosecution refused to accept King’s insistence that he did not sent them.

Judge Johnson adjourned the case until Monday for a hearing into the disputed issues, including whether King knew he was harassing Mrs Lampard while pursuing her.

The 39-year-old TV presenter, who is pregnant with her and Frank’s first child together, may still have to come to court on Monday to relive the stalking ordeal despite King’s guilty plea.

King has been on bail since the start of the criminal case, on the condition he does not contact Christine or Frank Lampard or go to their home.

He was also banned from attending any events that the former Dancing on Ice and One Show host, and her ex-footballer husband, are due to appear at.

According to his online acting profiles, King has appeared as an extra in a string of films and was also hired by Secret Cinema for their live-performance productions of hit films.

King, from Kilburn, north London, pleaded guilty to one charge of stalking. He will be sentenced following Monday’s hearing.

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