Christine Lampard describes ‘sinister’ tweets from ‘stalker’

Man admits stalking but disputes the sending of the tweets

TV presenter Christine Lampard has described tweets allegedly sent to her by a stalker as “sinister and dark”.

Christof King, 39, of Mowbray Road, Brent, pleaded guilty to stalking last week, but he disputes the sending of the tweets.

Prosecutor Nicholas Dunham told Isleworth Crown Court that King sent Lampard tweets which had content that was “from dark to loving to incoherent”.

King, who wanted career advice from Lampard, sent letters and turned up at her house on more than one occasion, causing her to hide in a bedroom with the housekeeper.

Speaking from behind a curtain in the court, Lampard said the “disturbing” tweets allegedly caused her so much concern she showed them to her husband Frank.

The former England international sat opposite his wife as she gave evidence at the Newton hearing regarding whether or not King sent the tweets.

Lampard said several tweets were “incoherent waffle”, with some tagging her employer ITV and her husband.

“Several tweets became quite sinister and dark,” she added.

Lampard said these tweets made her pay attention, adding that another reason she noticed his tweets was because “there was so many of them”.

One tweet he is alleged to have sent said: “I can hear the scratch of nails as I sharpen them ahead of your crucifixion.”

The court heard another tweet said: “I am planning the words that will go on your gravestone.”

Lampard said she remembered the word “tombstone”, adding that she paid a “great deal” of attention to his Twitter profile picture. “Because the tweets were so disturbing, to the extent that I showed it to my husband as well and shared my concerns,” she said.

“I wanted to make sure I memorised his face,” she told the court.

The star was shown other negative tweets sent to her in the past, after she said the “vast majority of the people” she deals with are “good nice people”.

On the negative tweets shown to her, she said: “I don’t remember any of those.

“I don’t remember any of those names. I don’t remember what they look like.

“But I do remember Mr King.” King, who said he changed his name by deed poll from Jon Dunningham in April 2016, told the court he had only had one Twitter account and did not send the tweets to Lampard.

He said he could not explain the account the tweets came from, adding: “I did not set up that account. I’ve never had that account.”

The case was due to continue today at 10am.

One tweet he is alleged to have sent said: ‘I can hear the scratch of nails as I sharpen them ahead of your crucifixion’

Christof King leaving court after he appeared accused of stalking television presenter Christine Lampard, right.

Picture: PA.