The Crown court should dismiss an appeal brought by a solicitor against his conviction and sentence for stalking a legal blogger, a judge and two magistrates heard today.
Snaresbrook Crown Court was hearing an appeal by Andrew Jonathan Milne, 63, admitted in 1986, who was convicted of stalking without fear in February after a seven-day magistrates’ court trial.
Milne's appeal opened at Snaresbrook Crown Court with submissions from Lauren Matthews, for the Crown. Matthews told the court that, between 1 March 2024 and 2 August 2024, Milne pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of court blogger Daniel Cloake which Milne knew or ought to have known amounted to harassment: sending over 100 emails and attending Cloake’s home address uninvited.
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Matthews told the court: ‘Andrew Milne’s case is that Daniel Cloake had been stalking him and they had sexual relations and therefore his conduct did not amount to harassment of Daniel Cloake. Daniel Cloake will tell you they never had a relationship, let alone a sexual relationship.’
Matthews said the Crown must prove that Milne pursued a course of conduct between March and August 2024 that amounted to stalking and that Milne knew or ought to have known it amounted to harassment. The court also needed to be satisfied that some alarm or distress was caused. Matthews said the court would see evidence this week of discussions between Cloake and someone with whom he confided about 'how he was feeling while this was going on. It got to the point he needed to call the police'.
Milne, represented by Nathan Goldstein, spoke during today’s hearing to correct a submission made by Matthews about his statement to the police.
The hearing continues.
