Man accused of stalking Selena Gomez has case dropped

The case against a man charged with stalking Selena Gomez has been dropped by a court in Los Angeles.

A judge said he didn't believe Thomas Broadnicki had intended to scare her.

The 46-year-old, who has a history of mental illness, was charged last month with stalking the teenage actress and singer between July and October.

Mental health workers alerted the authorities after Thomas Brodnicki threatened to kill Justin Bieber's girlfriend while in psychiatric care.

Selena Gomez, 19, was not present at the hearing but wrote in a statement that she had suffered "extreme fear".

A prosecution lawyer at the preliminary court case failed to show the judge that Thomas Brodnicki should stand trial.

He was being held on $150,000 (£95,000) bail after his arrest on 31 October.

The dimissal of the case means Thomas Brodnicki will be freed.

However, a restraining order requiring Brodnicki to stay 100 yards (91 metres) away from the singer remains in place.

A hearing is scheduled for 23 November to determine whether the order will remain in place for the next three years.