Man 'sent blood signed letter' to Sturgeon

Peter Windsor denies two counts of stalking causing serious alarm or distress

A man accused of stalking presenter Myleene Klass previously sent a letter that was "signed in blood" to former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon in which he "pledged his soul to Satan", a court has been told.

Peter Windsor was arrested in January 2023 over the letter, which was posted to the former first minister in 2020, but a decision was taken not to prosecute him, a trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard.

The 61-year-old, of Mary Road, Stechford, Birmingham, gave evidence on Thursday after agreed facts were read to the jury detailing two letters he sent to Sturgeon in October 2020 and October 2022.

He denies two counts of stalking causing serious alarm or distress.

Prosecutors alleged Mr Windsor, who has schizophrenia, stalked both Klass and Classic FM colleague Katie Breathwick by sending items including an air pistol, handcuffs and details of a DIY will kit, to the station's central London studios between 2020 and 2024.

The agreed facts, read into the court record by prosecutor Timothy Sapwell, said the first letter, signed by Mr Windsor, outlined that he might visit Sturgeon to discuss groups of people with whom he appeared to take issue, including Freemasons, politicians and doctors.

"He also said that he pledged his soul to Satan and that the letter was signed in blood. There was some dried blood on it," Mr Sapwell added.

The second letter to the then first minister expressed hostility towards various groups and made reference to killing people, the court heard.

Mr Windsor was arrested by Police Scotland officers at his home in January 2023 on suspicion of threatening behaviour as a result of the two letters.

He was then interviewed and released pending further inquiries, but a decision was taken not to prosecute him because he was not resident in Scotland, the court was told.

Myleene Klass told the trial she felt "sheer terror" after being sent a gun, a silver ring and a police uniform

Mr Windsor told the jury the letter sent to Ms Sturgeon was "just a joke" and denied that a map of Edinburgh found on the wall of his home showed a desire to visit her.

"I just thought I would write a black comedy-type note - just a script in an acting thing," he said.

Mr Windsor has used multiple names including Peter Szymanski and changed his surname to Windsor by deed poll.

Answering questions from defence barrister Philip Brunt, Mr Windsor, who has no previous convictions, said he had sent the items to the radio presenters and Sturgeon as a "pretend weird" acting performance.

Some of the items posted to Breathwick, including a stamp collection, had been an attempt to put her mind at rest that he was not a "weirdo criminal" drug addict, Mr Windsor said.

'I will be a bit controversial'

Insisting that the packages he sent did not amount to stalking, he told the court he had not been to London since a 2016 visit to Buckingham Palace stables.

Saying he had a "pretend obsession" with Breathwick and Klass and wanted to get in the newspapers, Mr Windsor added: "I thought I would be arrested and let go the same day."

Former Hear'Say member Klass told the jury on Wednesday how she felt "sheer terror" after being sent a gun, a silver ring and a police uniform.

Breathwick told the court on Tuesday of her horror at receiving a letter with details of a DIY will-writing kit and other "raving" and "unhinged" mail from Mr Windsor, who she said left her in fear of her safety.

Asked what his motivation had been for sending the items to the presenters, Mr Windsor responded: "Just to try and draw attention to the plight of people who have been on benefit, like I have, for 30 years.

"They are always criminal suspects and police always come around to them for doing the slightest thing.

"I thought I will be a bit controversial, and maybe more people will know me and say 'there he is' in the pub."

The trial continues.