Former Councillor Jailed for 20 Weeks After Stalking Penny Mordaunt
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A former cabinet minister, Penny Mordaunt, experienced a prolonged period of fear for her safety due to the actions of a stalker, culminating in a 20-week prison sentence for the perpetrator.
Edward Brandt, a 61-year-old professional sailor and former member of East Hampshire district council, was convicted of stalking Penny Mordaunt. While acquitted of a more serious charge involving serious alarm or distress, Brandt’s actions were deemed sufficiently threatening to warrant immediate imprisonment. The sentencing took place at Southampton Crown Court.
Persistent Harassment Campaign
The court heard that Brandt engaged in a sustained campaign of harassment between September 11,2023,and May 12,2024. This included sending at least 17 emails and three phone messages to Mordaunt, as well as repeatedly appearing at her Portsmouth constituency office outside of regular business hours.
Mordaunt, a former Conservative party leadership candidate, detailed the profound impact of Brandt’s behaviour in a statement to police. She revealed she “feared sexual violence” due to the defendant’s actions, which she described as “creepy.” The emotional toll was notable, with Mordaunt stating she was “completely fatigued due to the stress” and lived in “a constant fear of a confrontation.” she described constantly looking over her shoulder and checking for Brandt’s presence.
Breach of Stalking Protection Order
Brandt’s criminal activity extended beyond the initial stalking offense. He was also sentenced for seven breaches of a stalking protection order issued in December of the previous year. This order, valid until November 2034, required Brandt to notify police of any devices capable of connecting to the internet and to disclose the creation of accounts on social media platforms like Facebook and Snapchat. He failed to comply with these requirements.
The court also heard that Brandt disregarded a verbal warning from police and the terms of a conditional caution issued in April 2024, which mandated completion of a victim awareness course and a cessation of all contact with mordaunt.Despite these warnings,he left two voicemail messages for the MP. In one message, he stated, “I am going to go on gently knocking at your door in order to shake your hand, I am not giving up.”
Judge’s Reasoning and Sentencing
Judge Mousley, delivering the sentence, emphasized the risk of future offenses. “I am satisfied that there is a real risk of you reoffending or causing harm to other people,” the judge stated. “Also,having regard to the nature of these offences,the appropriate punishment must be by way of immediate imprisonment.”
brandt received a 12-week prison sentence for the stalking offense and an additional eight weeks to be served consecutively, totaling 20 weeks.
Mitigating Factors and Defense
In mitigation, Brandt claimed his intentions were “entirely political and entirely harmless,” stating he simply wanted to “congratulate her” and shake her “gold-plated and precious hand.” He also disclosed he had been diagnosed with ADHD and is on the autism spectrum. His legal representative, Timothy dracass, argued that Brandt’s “responsibility is substantially reduced by reason of a mental disorder or learning disorder, namely his neurodiverse condition.”
Despite these mitigating factors, the judge steadfast that the severity of the offenses and the risk of reoffending necessitated a custodial sentence.The case underscores the seriousness with which the courts are treating stalking offenses and the lasting impact such harassment can have on victims.
