Newsreader Nina ‘was stalked for 18 months’
ITN newsreader Nina Hossain feared for her safety after being stalked for 18 months, a court heard yesterday.
Peter Birt, 42, allegedly followed the mother of three to work and on nights out with friends.
On one occasion, he entered a restaurant and ‘stared at her for 15 minutes’, Highbury Magistrates’ Court heard.
He also waited outside ITN’s headquarters at Grays Inn Road, Central London, where Miss Hossain works as the main newsreader on the ITV Lunchtime News, it was alleged.
Birt, from Luton, denies stalking between February 9, 2014, and November 17, 2015.
At a hearing ahead of his trial, due to take place next month, prosecutor Nathan Miebai said: ‘This incident has caused Ms Hossain harm, distress and fear of the defendant.
‘This fear has not disappeared over the years.
‘The fear and anxiety caused by incidents like this has affected her private life, affecting her children, her mother, and her husband, and causing them to feel helpless.
‘She says the impact of the defendant’s behaviour towards her has been considerable.’
Mr Miebai applied for Miss Hossain to be allowed to testify without having to see the alleged stalker, arguing the quality of her evidence would ‘diminish’ if she came face to face with Birt.
He added: ‘Given the nature of the offence and what the complainant says by way of impact, the Crown submit that the quality of evidence would be improved if she could testify from behind screens.’
District Judge Gillian Allison granted the request.
Robert Kaim, defending, told the hearing that Birt could not be held accountable for where he was all the time, and that his presence near Miss Hossain was coincidental. He said: ‘This is a man of good character other than one i ncident of excess alcohol over ten years ago.
‘The defendant had every right to be in that area and whether he was in that area at time of the allegation, he has to work out.
‘He cannot account for every pub or train he uses.’
Wearing a trenchcoat, jeans, a blue shirt and blue tie, Birt spoke only to confirm his name and address and to plead not guilty.
He was bailed on the condition that he does not contact Miss Hossain.
The daughter of a doctor, Huddersfield-born Miss Hossain, 40, studied English Language and Linguistics at Durham University, before starting her career in local TV.
She later worked as a reporter and presenter for the BBC in London before joining ITV News 11 years ago. In 2005, she was mugged at knifepoint while jogging, but still went to work and read the evening news bulletin.
In 2007, serial sex predator David Decoteau, who was obsessed with newsreaders including Miss Hossain, Fiona Bruce and Emily Maitlis, was given four life sentences for the gunpoint rape of an Ann Summers shop assistant.
‘Anxiety has affected her life’