Stalker who left Claire Foy ‘terrified in her home’ illegally entered UK, court hears
A persistent stalker who left Claire Foy “terrified in her own home” and fearing he would kill her and her daughter entered the UK illegally, a court has heard.
Jason Penrose, 49, launched a “campaign of consistent stalking” and even turned up at the The Crown star’s home on 17 December last year and repeatedly rang the doorbell, Wood Green crown court was told on Monday.
Penrose sent Foy’s publicist, Emma Jackson, more than 1,000 explicit emails, including one about Foy being raped and him wanting her to be his girlfriend.
He tried to contact the actor on LinkedIn and Instagram, and also contacted Foy’s sister by email and her exboyfriend by text.
Wearing a white shirt and brown cap, Penrose spoke only to confirm his name.
He admitted stalking and two breaches of a stalking protection order earlier this month.
Penrose was committed to Wood Green crown court for sentencing after a judge warned he faced at least 30 months in jail.
Varinder Hayre, prosecuting, earlier told the court: “Ms Foy has been targeted by Mr Penrose in a sustained, unwanted, fixated and obsessive behaviour that was intrusive due to his delusional beliefs.”
He said that on the night Penrose went to Foy’s address, the door intercom was answered by her daughter, and Penrose said: “It’s Jason, I’m outside.”
“Ms Foy was terrified as she did not know what his intention was. She was in fear for her and her daughter’s lives,” said Hayre.
The stalking had “an extreme effect on her life and peace of mind”, he said, adding: “She struggles to sleep and is terrified in her own home. She feels like the freedoms before Mr Penrose contacted her have now gone.”
In a letter written to court, Foy said:
“His relentless attempts to contact me are so traumatic. Every time I think this is sorted it is not.
“I feel like there is nothing that would stop him being able to contact me, he has affected every aspect of my life.”
Penrose initially contacted Foy through her agent and publicist claiming to be a movie producer.
He had been receiving treatment at Whittington hospital in north London but it emerged today he is no longer doing so.
Judge David Aaronberg said one issue to resolve was the possibility of Penrose being deported, since he came to the UK illegally.
He adjourned sentencing until 2 December, adding: “It is the joint view of everybody who is involved in the case that Mr Penrose has a mental illness which is treatment-resistant and there is a high risk of further offending and a high risk of harm.”
Penrose was released on bail, with conditions including he live in accommodation as directed by the Islington NHS trust.