Gwyneth Paltrow sobs on the stand as she testifies her 'stalker' wrote letters about ridding her of sin with a SCALPEL, made a marriage proposal and sent her sex toys and porn 

Gwyneth Paltrow broke down in court today as she took the stand during the trial of a man accused of stalking her for 17 years.

The Oscar-winning actress testified in a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday that 66-year-old Dante Soiu sent her disturbing letters between 2009 and 2015 discussing his intention to marry her, her death, pornography and unsolicited gifts.

She also told the jury she has been forced to get an attack dog to protect herself and her family, adding that she asked her bodyguard to teach the animal 'attack and bite commands', reported TMZ.

The actress said she was home alone at night with her kids and 'scared'. 

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Gwyneth Paltrow broke down in court today as she took the stand during the trial of a man accused of stalking her for 17 years. Pictured: Court sketches 

Stalker trial: Opening statements have begun in the trial of Dante Soiu (left) accused of stalking Gwyneth Paltrow (right) for 17 years, peppering her with 66 letters and packagers

The handwritten missives describe Soiu's intention to marry Paltrow and a pair of earrings he sent her in 2009 as a Christmas gift. He has also sent her religious books, and forwarded her letters he has sent to President Obama and actress Angelina Jolie. 

Several of the letters and packages Paltrow has received from the man beginning in 1999 contained pornography, sex toys and statements that Soiu wanted to cleanse the Shakespeare In Love star of sin, even claiming he would excise her sin with a scalpel.

His 'letters described in detail what kind of sexual acts he planned to perform with her,' according to court records. 

One note described Paltrow 'bowing to death.' The actress said the reference was disturbing.

Paltrow also told the jury she has been forced to get an attack dog to protect herself and her family, adding that she asked her bodyguard to teach the animal 'attack and bite commands'

'I felt very upset by it,' Paltrow said.'This has been a very long and very traumatic experience already. Pictured: Left, Dante Soiu and in the stand centre, Paltrow

'You are hopelessly lost,' Soiu wrote in a 2010 letter. 'Now you must die. Yourself, must die so that Christ can have preeminence.' 

In another missive, Soiu allegedly wrote: 'I have a goal: to marry Gwyneth Paltrow and take care of her.'

'I felt very upset by it,' Paltrow said.'This has been a very long and very traumatic experience already.

Paltrow, who was the first witness to testify, remained mostly composed on the stand, showing concern on her face and wiping her eyes at one point during approximately an hour of testimony. Dressed in a white turtleneck and black slacks, she at one point identified Soiu, who was wearing a blue shirt and gray sweater.

Paltrow's boyfriend was seen in court with her today and was pictured driving to the LA court house in a black SUV

According to the court sketch artist, Paltrow kept looking behind at beau Brad Falchuk for support 

Paltrow, who was the first witness to testify, remained mostly composed on the stand, showing concern on her face and wiping her eyes at one point during approximately an hour of testimony. Pictured: Airport Courthouse in Los Angeles where she testified

He shook his head during portions of Deputy District Attorney Wendy Segall's opening statement, but remained quiet throughout Paltrow's testimony.

The Ohio resident Ohio, has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges stemming from the actress' complaint.

His lawyer says Soiu has simply written to Paltrow and that recent letters haven't included pornography.

Attorney Lynda Westlund says Soiu is a Christian man who is simply trying to minister to the actress.

 Video courtesy of WBNS 

Star power: The 43-year-old actress, pictured above at the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2016 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 26, lives with her two children, Apple and Moses

During opening statements the prosecutor said Dante Soiu has stalked Paltrow for 17 years and sent her 66 letters between 2009 and 2015 - the year she split from her Colplay frontman husband Chris Martin. 

Prosecutor Wendy Segall said Monday that Soiu has shattered Paltrow's sense of security.

The 43-year-old actress lives with her two young children, 11-year-old Apple and 9-year-old Moses. Her divorce from Martin is still pending.  

Soiu was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2000 in a previous trial and was sent to a mental institution for several years. 

He was re-arrested last year after sending Paltrow new correspondence.

He shook his head during portions of Segall's opening statement.