An alleged stalker is accused of travelling from the US to camp outside a woman’s workplace.
Augustine Lopez, 46, is also said to have brought a can of ‘mace’ pepper spray, a prohibited weapon, into the UK. He was allegedly found in possession of the spray can.
Appearing before Oxford Crown Court on Friday morning (April 28), Lopez, of Orange County, Florida, pleaded not guilty to stalking, evading an importation prohibition and possession of a prohibited weapon.
The particulars of the stalking offence read to the court set out that Lopez allegedly sent messages to the complainant’s social media account and work email address, travelled to the UK, camped outside her workplace and tried to meet her there.
The defendant, whose long grey hair was tied back in a dyed-blue ponytail, spoke only to confirm his name and not guilty pleas.
Judge Maria Lamb remanded Lopez in custody to return to court for the trial on September 20. The case is expected to last two to three days.
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