Pop star Harry Styles was left feeling “scared” and “very uncomfortable” after being stalked by a homeless man he “felt sorry for”, a court has heard.
The former One Direction singer offered to buy Pablo Tarazaga-Orero, 26, food or a hotel room after he saw him sleeping in a bus stop outside his London home.
The Spanish national allegedly posted notes and money through his letterbox, and followed him to the pub on several occasions.
The 25-year-old star went to the police after the defendant’s “erratic and frightening behaviour” left him feeling insecure at home.
Speaking from behind a screen, the Brit Award-winner told Hendon Magistrates’ Court on Monday: “Pablo was sleeping outside of my residence; I first became aware of him in March.
“I thought it was sad that someone so young was sleeping rough at a bus stop when it was cold.”
On March 10, Mr Styles recounted: “I pulled up in my car next to the bus stop and offered him some money so he could get a hotel or some food.”
Tarazaga-Orero asked if he could have some edamame beans because he is vegan, District Judge Nigel Deane heard.
The next day, the singer bought the man two sandwiches, two salads and two muffins from a vegan cafe, but decided to stop interacting with him following an “odd” incident.
He told the court: “He asked me if I wanted to go to a restaurant to eat.
“I told him I was on my way to work.
“I found it a little odd. His facial expression made me feel a little uneasy.
“It was like a smirk.
“Until that point, I never felt unsafe or uneasy in my own home.”
Despite cutting contact with the man on the advice of his security staff, Mr Styles continued to see Tarazaga-Orero “incredibly often (…) almost every day”.
In April, he posted change to the value of £49.95 through his letter box.
The star said he was also followed into a local pub a number of times, and was stopped on a run in Regent’s Park, when Tarazaga-Orero asked for money.
The prosecution argued that Tarazaga-Orero’s stalking continue to have a “significant effect on (Mr Styles’) day-to-day life”.
Mr Styles said: “I never really encountered this kind of behaviour before.
“I’ve employed a night guard. I continue to lock my bedroom door at night.”
He also said he continues to check for “weak spots” in his home.
The trial continues.