Ballet photographer gets life ban for stalking lover
A ROYAL Ballet photographer who sent his ex-girlfriend a sex toy and a picture mocked-up to show her dog drowning, was ordered yesterday to stay away from her for life.
Former Swan Lake dancer Andrej Uspenski was made subject to an indefinite restraining order after stalking 35-yearold Tatiana Novitjenko for three months.
Miss Novitjenko had split from Uspenski after he became “aggressive and possessive”.
But Westminster magistrates’ court heard that the 38-year-old defendant had turned up at her dance studio, bombarded her with angry text messages and sent the sex toy to her as a birthday gift.
He enclosed a card with it, showing what looked like one of her three pet chihuahuas drowning in the River Thames.
Carolyn Mishon, chairwoman of the bench, said: “I am imposing a restraining order until further notice. This is necessary to protect the victim in this case.”
Russian-born Uspenski, who had to end his dancing career at the Royal Ballet because of injury, admitted without violence.
Yesterday, he was given a 12-month community order, a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
Katie Bryan, prosecuting, said the pair had an eight-month romance and he moved into her home in Chelsea until she ended the relationship last April.
Raphael Steele, defending, said: “This was a short passionate relationship and when it came to an end Mr Uspenski struggled to get over that.” harassment