Lord Chancellor's son accused of stalking

The Lord Chancellor is standing by his son Alastair

A son of the lord chancellor is in prison in the United States after he was charged with offences including stalking the boyfriend of a tanning salon employee.

Alastair Irvine, 25, is also charged with burglary and carrying a gun, according to US court officials.

The problems began when Mr Irvine became enamoured of 19-year-old Nicole Healy while he was living in Newport Beach in California, according to the Orange County District Attorney.

"She told him she had a boyfriend, but Mr Irvine continued to bring flowers to her and call her," said spokeswoman Tori Richards.

She told him she had a boyfriend, but Mr Irvine continued to bring flowers to her and call her

District Attorney spokeswoman Tori Richards

He then began making threats against Nicole's boyfriend Karel Taska, also 19, said Ms Richards.

The Daily Mail reported that Mr Irvine's behaviour was so nasty, Nicole and Karel moved house three times in less than a month to escape him.

"There was absolute panic," Nicole's father Kevin told the newspaper. "I would say she was terrified for her life."

It is alleged Mr Irvine poured a caustic substance on Mr Taska's truck, causing $5,700 in damage, said Ms Richards.

He then went to the tanning salon with a gun in his belt and threatened him.

Ms Richards said: "He approached an employee there, showed that he had a handgun in his waist band, and threatened the life of Mr Taska."

Drug addiction

Mr Irvine's father Derry is head of the judiciary in England and Wales and a close friend of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The Daily Mail newspaper said Mr Irvine had been sent to the US by his family to receive treatment for his drug addiction.

There was absolute panic - I would say she was terrified for her life

Nicole's father Kevin

A spokesman for the Lord Chancellor's Department said in a statement that Mr Irvine's parents were standing by their son.

"Alastair's family are supporting him in his current problems as they always have.

"Beyond that they have nothing to say about Alastair's personal problems. The US legal process must take its course in the normal way."

Kevin Healy told the Mail he felt sorry for the Irvine family, and would not object if Mr Irvine was sent back to the UK rather than imprisoned - so long as he never returned to the US.

'Fragile despite bravado'

Dr Suzie Schuder, a psychiatrist treating Mr Irvine for drug dependency, said in court papers that he had "a history of major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder," as well as "substance abuse, which he used as a form of self-medication".

The charges

Stalking

Two counts of vandalism

Criminal threats

Second-degree burglary

Misdemeanour charge of carrying a concealed weapon

Dr Schuder added that Mr Irvine was "fragile despite any bravado he have displayed," adding that he "feels hopeless, helpless and worthless".

Mr Irvine has pleaded not guilty to one count of felony stalking, two felony counts of vandalism, one count of criminal threats, and a misdemeanour charge of carrying a concealed weapon.

He was also charged with one count of second-degree burglary for allegedly damaging a neighbour's car.

He is scheduled to be arraigned in court on Tuesday. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.