Schiffer case man appears in court

Mr Pomata denies stalking the Claudia Schiffer

A former kitchen porter collapsed in the dock of a court during a hearing into allegations that he harassed supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

Agostino Pomata, 33, of north London, collapsed two hours into the hearing at Sudbury Magistrates Court, Suffolk.

Staff rushed to the aid of the Sardinian, who denies the harassment charges against him.

Mr Pomata was remanded under the Mental Health Act while a psychiatric report is prepared.

'Considerable fame'

Magistrates in Bury St Edmunds had issued a warrant for Mr Pomata's arrest following his non-appearance on Tuesday.

Mr Pomata is accused of harassing the German model at her luxury £7.5m home, Coldham Hall in Stanningfield, near Bury in Suffolk.

The prosecution claimed he called at the 16th Century mansion nine times between 23 September and 12 November this year, including six times before she moved in.

Andrew Fitch-Holland prosecuting said: "Claudia Schiffer is a supermodel of considerable fame and this is as clear a case of stalking that has come before this court."

The case was adjourned until 8 January.