A former councillor, Edward Brandt, has been sentenced to 20 weeks in prison after a conviction for stalking ex-cabinet minister Dame Penny Mordaunt. The sentence was handed down by Southampton Crown Court, where Brandt was found guilty in November.
Details of the Stalking Case
Although Brandt was convicted of stalking, he was cleared of more serious charges that could have indicated greater alarm or distress caused to Dame Penny. During the trial, evidence revealed that the 61-year-old had exhibited unsettling behavior, leading the former Conservative cabinet minister to feel threatened.
Behavior and Communication
- Brandt sent a total of 17 emails and made three phone calls to Dame Penny.
- He visited her constituency office in Portsmouth outside regular hours.
- The stalking incidents occurred between September 11, 2023, and May 12, 2024.
Brandt, who resided on the Isle of Wight, violated a conditional caution issued to him in April 2024. This caution mandated that he not contact Dame Penny and complete a victim awareness course. Despite this, he left two voicemail messages for her in May, one of which included a troubling statement about persistently seeking her out.
Legal Actions and Future Restrictions
Due to his actions, an interim stalking protection order was imposed on Brandt by the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on July 16, 2024. This order aims to provide additional safety for Dame Penny amid the ongoing concerns regarding Brandt’s behavior.
The situation remains under scrutiny as further developments are expected. El-Balad will continue to provide updates on this case.
