Man Jailed for Stalking Ex-Newsnight Star for 30 Years
Edward Vines, 52, has finally been found guilty of repeatedly breaching a restraining order against ex-Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis. The Nottingham Crown Court convicted him of eight attempted violations after he sent unwanted letters to Maitlis and her mother between May 2020 and December 2021.
Long History of Harassment
Vines, who first met Maitlis at Cambridge University, was first convicted of harassment back in 2002, earning a restraining order. But that didn’t stop him. After violating the order in 2008, a fresh, stricter order banned him from contacting Maitlis and her family.
- He breached or tried to breach that order 12 times in the years that followed.
- This led to seven separate prosecutions before the current case.
- He was handed a prison sentence in 2020 for continuing his harassment from behind bars.
Even while incarcerated at HMP Nottingham, Vines tried to send letters to Maitlis, all intercepted by prison staff.
Police Crackdown on Serial Stalker
“Vines has persistently and systematically violated the restraining order, resulting in numerous court hearings,” said Nottinghamshire Police Sergeant Carl Holland.
“He has spent nearly half his life harassing Ms Maitlis, and each breach adds to her anguish.”
Holland added, “We take stalking and harassment extremely seriously and will pursue Vines relentlessly if he reoffends.”
The sentencing date is yet to be set, but this case sends a clear message: stalking victims will be protected, and offenders will face justice.
