BBC’s Emily Maitlis says her 27-year stalker hell made her marriage suffer and terrified her kids
TV star Emily Maitlis told how 27 years of torment from a relentless stalker is ruining her life.
The BBC Newsnight presenter, 47, said she was now “jumpy around strangers”.
Emily Maitlis says her stalker hell has heaped strain on her marriage and frightened her kids.
Her agony was revealed yesterday as her tormentor of 27 years was jailed — for contacting her from prison.
A judge in Oxford said it was a scandal that Edward Vines, 47, had been able to write to her while in jail.
Emily, 47, said of harassment from ex-university friend Edward Vines: “It has affected my relationship with my husband.”
She said investment banker hubby Mark Gwynne was frustrated that the problem had not been solved “even though they had been tackling it through the Crown Prosecution Service and courts for over 20 years”.
The mother of two said the ordeal “has scared my children”.
Emily spoke in a victim impact statement read out in court.
She accused the criminal justice system of letting her down and said besotted Vines, 47, “remains a constant threat in my life and my family’s life . . . ”
Vines subjected Emily and her family to “psychological torture”, Oxford crown court heard.
He sent three letters from Bullingdon Prison, Oxon, in late 2016 while serving three years for breaching an order not to contact the broadcaster.
Prosecutor Julian Lynch said Vines’ letters complained about Emily’s behaviour towards him at Cambridge University and being treated unfairly at previous trials.
Vines was quizzed about the notes, yet freed early on licence.
He sent two more to her at BBC2’s Newsnight last September from his Oxford bail hostel.
He warned: “I will not relent.”
Emily said the harassment affects her everyday decisions, her ability to work and has made her “jumpy around strangers”.
Vines admitted two charges of breaching a lifetime restraining order.
Jailing him for 45 months, Judge Peter Ross said it was a “scandal” that he had been able to write to her from prison.
Judge Peter Ross demanded a written explanation from the governor.
Vines, who defended himself, said: “The whole issue could be resolved for both of us if she would talk to me once — that hasn’t happened since 1995.”
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A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "We apologise unreservedly for this error and for the distress caused to the victim.
"We have significantly strengthened our monitoring procedures to prevent incidents like this from happening again.
"We would like to reassure the victim that any future correspondence involving this offender will be carefully checked, with staff reminded of the sensitivities of this particular case."
TIMELINE OF TERROR
1989: Vines meets Emily as student at Queens’ College, Cambridge.
1990: He becomes obsessed after claiming she acted “scornfully” when he told her he was in love with her and was sexually attracted to her.
1999: Warned by cops after he sent more than 50 letters to her.
2002: Given restraining order after Emily tells police she fears being targeted like fellow broadcaster Jill Dando, who was shot dead.
2009: Vines given permanent restraining order barring any contact after continuing his campaign.
2015: Breaches order by sending letters to Emily, and emails and letters to her mum.
2016: Jailed for three years.
2018: Jailed for 45 months for sending letters to her from jail and while on licence.