A Hatfield man could face jail after bombarding a former EastEnders actress with unwanted messages and gifts – and telling her he had bought a wedding dress for their marriage

Paul Mason, 40, became fixated with Brooke Kinsella, and pestered her for more than two years.

Mason, of Stonecross Road, even visited the grave of the star’s murdered brother and penned fantasy love letters to her.

He was convicted of stalking the 31-year-old actress at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.

He faces a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment.

Miss Kinsella described Mason’s behaviour as “odd” and “scary” – particularly his references to having already bought her wedding dress for their marriage and a vow to show up at the acting school for children she runs.

Mason claims that as a victim of knife crime he was simply trying to support the actress’ work with the Ben Kinsella Trust, dedicated to the memory of her 16-year-old brother, who was stabbed to death in June 2008.

He turned up unannounced at a theatre she was performing at, and an open day she was hosting.

Mason left gifts such as CDs, oils, perfume and a ring at the locations and when police searched his home they found expressive love letters devoted to the actress.

Ms Kinsella told the court the first time she ever heard Mason’s name was in 2011, when the Home Office - who the Trust work with - contacted police about troubling letters they had received about her from the defendant.

She told the court: “He contacted me on Facebook and Twitter and I received numerous messages on my phone and he would tell me my wedding dress was ready.

“I blocked him, but he set up new accounts and sent more messages such as ‘You will be my wife.’”

Mason’s lawyer Mr. Roger Hill told the court: “This is at the bottom end of the scale. His case is that he met the lady when she first auditioned to go on EastEnders at Elstree and was subsequently aware of what happened to her and was supporting her.”

The defendant, who has a previous conviction for harassment, will also be the subject of a prosecution application for a restraining order to prohibit contact with Ms Kinsella.

He was remanded in custody until January 19, when he will be sentenced.