A man accused of stalking a television news presenter questioned her for 45 minutes in court before proceedings were halted by a magistrate.

Emily Maitlis, anchorwoman of the BBC's regional news programme for London, was questioned by 31-year-old Edward Vines at West London Magistrates Court.

The prosecution claimed Mr Vines, from West Kensington, had deliberately sacked his lawyer in order to question Ms Maitlis in person.

He denies a charge of harassing the presenter between March 1999 and July 2000.

He is trying to reach a goal that he has been after for many years now

Desmond Foster, prosecuting

The prosecution claim that Mr Vines sent her numerous letters, attended the place where she worked, and contacted her through third parties against her wishes.

Ms Maitlis had expected to be questioned by a defence lawyer, but he was sacked by Mr Vines, who was then allowed to question the presenter himself.

A legal advisor to the court then warned that Ms Maitlis' evidence must not be allowed to "deteriorate" under his cross-examination.

Desmond Foster, prosecuting, said: "It is clear that Mr Vines is using this opportunity to get to a point that he has tried to outside this court.

"He is trying to reach a goal that he has been after for many years now."

Questioning was halted after 45 minutes when magistrate Sandra Fox ordered that Mr Vines must employ a solicitor if he wished to continue.

Ms Maitlis told the court: "I just want to finish this. I don't really want to start again. I just want this over."

The hearing was adjourned until 19 September.