A woman from the Midlands has denied stalking Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, by allegedly attempting to gain entry to his ancestral home. Marinela Atomei, 44, of Atherstone in Warwickshire, pleaded not guilty at Warwick Crown Court on Thursday, May 7, to a charge under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Allegations of Harassment
The charge details a course of conduct between July 2025 and February 2026, during which Atomei is accused of causing Earl Spencer serious alarm or distress that had a substantial adverse effect on his daily activities. The alleged incidents include visiting Althorp, the Spencer family estate in Northamptonshire, on multiple occasions when it was open to the public in July and August 2025. She is also accused of sending an email in October 2025, claiming to be an art historian to gain access to the library at Althorp.
Social Media Posts and Uninvited Visits
Prosecutors allege that Atomei made numerous social media posts regarding Earl Spencer and Althorp House. In January 2026, she is said to have contacted the estate by email, seeking to collaborate on a project with Charles Edward Maurice Spencer. On January 17, she allegedly attended Althorp uninvited, gaining access to the grounds and attempting to enter the house. Two weeks later, she is said to have returned to deliver a letter and a package to Earl Spencer personally.
Court Appearance and Bail Conditions
During the 13-minute hearing, Atomei spoke only to confirm her identity and enter her not guilty plea. Judge Sylvia de Bertodano granted an application for Earl Spencer, 61, to give evidence from behind a screen at the trial. Atomei was granted conditional bail, which includes a ban on entering Northamptonshire and electronic tagging for monitoring purposes.
The case was adjourned for a pre-trial review on October 5, 2026, with the trial scheduled to begin on April 19, 2027. The judge instructed Atomei to provide a defence case statement before the next hearing. A previous hearing had revealed that Atomei is Romanian but has lived in the UK for more than ten years.
Earl Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, resides at Althorp, where Diana is buried on a private island within the grounds. The estate, near the village of Great Brington, was one of Diana's childhood homes.
