Gwyneth Paltrow Cries Over 'Stalker' Fears

Gwyneth Paltrow momentarily broke down as she described her fears for her children from a man accused of stalking her for 17 years.

The Hollywood actress told the trial in Los Angeles that she was afraid of defendant Dante Soiu, who allegedly sent her letters containing religious and pornographic messages.

"I'm scared because the communications completely defy logic," she said. "I've been dealing with this for 17 years with the communications from this man."

She earlier authenticated 48 letters that she had received from Soiu and read out parts of several of them.

Some mentioned his desire to marry Paltrow and cleanse her of her sins, his trial in Los Angeles heard.

They also referred to a pair of earrings he sent her in 2009 as a Christmas gift, as well as pornography and death, it was alleged.

One letter described Paltrow "bowing to death".

In another, Soiu is accused of writing: "I have a goal: to marry Gwyneth Paltrow and take care of her."

The defendant is facing a felony charge as he is accused of sending 66 letters to the Hollywood star in 2009-2015.

Deputy district attorney Wendy Segall claimed Soiu has shattered Paltrow's sense of security.

Soiu, from Ohio, has pleaded not guilty and shook his head during parts of Ms Segall's opening statement.

His lawyer Lynda Westlund claimed Soiu has simply written to Paltrow and that recent letters have not included pornography.

Ms Westlund also said Soiu was a Christian man who was simply trying to help the actress.

He was previously tried for a series of pornographic messages and gifts he sent the actress, but was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2000.

Afterwards, he was sent to a mental institution for several years.

He was rearrested in 2015 after sending new correspondence to Paltrow.