Stalker ordered to stay away from Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson has obtained a restraining order against a man who the singer said has been stalking her for nine years.
Robert Gardner, 46, was ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from Jackson and not to contact the entertainer, her family, agents, lawyers or managers.
The restraining order from a California Superior Court judge will remain in place for three years.
Jackson, who was not in the Santa Monica court yesterday, said Gardner tried last year to take a box cutter and knife into a New York studio where she was rehearsing for a TV show.
She said in documents that Gardner “has been following me, sending me faxes and letters and attempting to arrange in-person meetings for nine years".
Gardner told the judge he had business matters to discuss with Jackson as well as personal matters he preferred to keep private.
Outside court, Gardner said he will hire a lawyer to contest the ruling.
“I do not want to be considered a stalker,” he said.
