Tennis star Anna Kournikova stalker William Lepeska said he switched his love to Kournikova after being snubbed by Mel B, the former Spice Girls singer. The 40-year-old, who once stabbed a sleeping college student, admitted swimming nude across Miami’s Biscayne Bay, bound for Kournikova’s £2.5 million estate, last month.
Lepeska said: “He was in love with Mel B for five years and repeatedly wrote to her, but finally I said the heck with her, moving on to greener pastures.”
Lepeska – who was arrested when he turned up on the pool deck at the wrong house and started shouting, “Anna, save me” – at present, is being held in a Miami psychiatric unit. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison of two counts of assaulting police officers, resisting arrest and burglary. He also faces charges of stalking, indecent exposure and criminal mischief.
Meanwhile, Judge Diane Ward has ordered Lepeska to stay away – at least 1,000 feet from her - if he ever gets out of jail.
At a pre-trial hearing, Kournikova said: “I was absolutely shocked and fearful, and I was very much concerned for my safety. It was very frightening and scary just knowing there is someone out there who’s obsessive.” The tennis star and model said: “She has hired bodyguards for the first time and added security at her home since Lepeska’s arrest.”
The next date of hearing is fixed for May 2.
It is not the first time Kournikova has had to put up with the attentions of a stalker. In 2002 security was increased at Wimbledon when a female stalker approached her during a practice session. However, the woman was intercepted by security guards protecting the player.
