Ashanti comes face-to-face with 'delusional' stalker' Devar Hurd

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Devar Hurd believed he was in a relationship the singer when he was accused of breaching his restraining order
He was banned from contacting her or her family in 2009 when he was jailed for stalking and harassment
But on his release he sent hundreds of lewd messages to Ashanti, according to court prosecutors
Also alleged to have attended an event where he knew her sister would be and posed for a picture with her
But in a bizarre set of claims Hurd said he believed he was in a relationship with the star who was angry because she thought he was cheating

Published: 13:22 EST, 1 October 2015 | Updated: 20:47 EST, 1 October 2015

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Ashanti has been forced to come face-to-face with her stalker at his retrial for 'sending graphic sexual messages to the star and following her younger sister'.

'Delusional' Devar Hurd told the court he believed he was in a relationship with the Foolish singer when he contacted her - breaching his restraining order.

The 37-year-old had been banned from getting in touch with the hip hop star or her family in 2009, when he was jailed for two years for stalking and aggravated harassment.

But after his release, the fan began sending Ashanti hundreds of lewd tweets from fake Twitter accounts, according to prosecutors who said he also turned up at events organized by her younger sister, Kenashia Douglas.

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Delusional' Devar Hurd (pictured on his second day in court, left) said he believed he was in a relationship with singer Ashanti (pictured arriving to Manhattan Supreme Court, right) when he was accused of breaching his restraining order

Ashanti is pictured outside Manhattan Supreme Court after testifying in Devar Hurd's stalking case today

Yesterday, Manhattan Supreme Court heard Hurd that he thought he was in a relationship with Ashanti - who thought he was 'going behind her back'.

The defendant, who was diagnosed as having a delusional disorder, said: 'She thought I was two-timing her, that I wasn't being loyal and trustworthy as I claimed to be to her,' Hurd said in his rambling opening statement, reported New York Daily News.

He also addressed the jury, telling them they were being 'manipulated' by prosecutors.

This is the second time in less than a year that Ashanti has had to face the man who has left her living in fear.

Hurd had originally faced trial for the current charges last December where the John Tucker Must Die actress told him she had repulsed and frightened to learn he'd been tweeting her X-rated messages.

Hurd represented himself at the retrial at Manhattan Supreme Court on charges of breaching his restraining order by sending explicit messages to the star

But Hurd, who was diagnosed as delusional during a trial where he was convicted for stalking the singer and her family in 2009, said he believed he was in relationship with the star

But a juror's illness during deliberations prompted a mistrial meaning the case had to be rescheduled for later in the year.

The Grammy winning R&B singer said at the time she had been appalled by the prospect of facing her stalker again but was determined to see the case through after a mistrial.

'I'm shocked and horrified at the thought of going through this ordeal again, but I will do whatever it takes to make sure my family is safe and that justice is served,' she said at the time.

Now both Ashanti and Hurd are back in the courtroom where the fan will face charges of breaking his restraining orders.

Assistant district attorney Kathryn Werner said yesterday that Hurd had deliberately ignored the restraining order not to contact Ashanti, her sister or parents until 2020, by messaging the star.

Ashanti's mother Tina Douglas, was also sent messages by Hurd

He had also attended an event where hew knew her younger sister would be as he knew she would not recognize him. The convicted stalker even took a picture with Kenashia.

His relentless campaign had left the family terrified, Werner said.

'They still live in fear of the defendant,' he told New York Daily News. 'Ashanti still hires extra security for her protection when she is in New York to ensure the defendant is kept away from her.'

'I didn't know what he was capable of,' she added at the trial last year. 'I know sometimes when a person gets rejected, that emotion turns into, you know, dangerous feelings and dangerous actions, and I didn't want it to go to a new level, so I was really, really scared.'

The original case last December had heard that Hurd messaged Ashanti more than 100 times within one year before from different Twitter handles until a fan alerted the star to his real identity.

She recounted being at her mother's July 2013 birthday dinner as she read raunchy, personal tweets from an account she had recently realized was Hurd's.

'To be at a family event with my mom and to have a person coming at you so derogatory, it was disgusting,' a tearful Ashanti had said in December.

While Hurd argued his tweets did no harm and she could have blocked him if she found them upsetting, claiming they were about 'consensual sex, lovemaking and emotional heartbreak.'

The concerned singer said she had not done so on advice from law enforcement.

Hurd, who represented himself at the current trial, could face up to four years in prison if convicted.

Ashanti, 34, got her first record deal at age 14 and went on to release hits including 'Foolish' and 'Only U.'

She also has acted in such films as 'Coach Carter' and 'John Tucker Must Die,' as well as in a 2009 off-Broadway revival of 'The Wiz.'