A former vet has been cleared of stalking a Conservative MP in Somerset.
Maurice Kirk, 76, was accused of stalking Rebecca Pow, the MP for Taunton Deane, for more than a year, causing her serious alarm or distress.
A jury at Exeter crown court acquitted him following a two-week trial. After the verdict, Kirk turned to the jury and said tearfully: “I am back in England. I am pleased I am back.” Kirk told the judge it had been an “insulting prosecution”.
The prosecution applied for a restraining order.
The jury heard that Kirk was apparently upset at what he regarded as Pow’s failure to help him in a legal battle against South Wales police. Kirk claimed Pow had not answered his letters and phone calls, the court was told.
He allegedly posted a blog on his website with an image of him carrying a shotgun and two photos of Pow underneath.
Pow was so worried that she increased her personal security by carrying an alarm and installing sensors around her home, the court heard.
Kirk, from Taunton, argued that he was simply a constituent seeking help from an MP.
