"Pretty Little Liars" star Ashley Benson has been granted a temporary restraining order against a man who believes "he has been instructed by God to pursue" the actress.
TMZ reported that James P. Gorton, a 49-year-old former Warner Brothers security guard, allegedly said god instructed him to pursue a romantic relationship with Benson. The 24-year-old actress submitted her petition to Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday to keep Gorton at least 100 yards away from her.
In the document, Benson stated she was left "anxious, worried and fearful" after learning about Gorton's "threatening intentions." Gorton, who is a married man, has reportedly told people that he was in a romantic relationship with Benson.
Studio security said Gorton believed that he had a special connection with the "Spring Breakers" star. According to TMZ, Gorton claimed that when Benson looked in his direction it meant she was "silently communicating messages to him."
Benson was made aware of Gorton's actions on June 11 when her manager, Thor Bradwell, showed her a picture of a man she identified as Gorton. Bradwell stated that "Gorton has expressed sexual feelings" toward her and added that Gorton fell in love with Benson "over a year ago" after seeing her at a coffee shop near the Warner's Bros. lot.
Gorton was recently fired from his job as a guard where the "Pretty Little Liars" series is filmed, but the actress still fears that he will try to contact her at her home. The former Warner Bros. employee has been forbidden from returning to work on the lot.
A hearing will be held on July 9 to extend the restraining order.
Rick Warmack, VP of studio protection for Warner Bros., stated the Gorton "planned to marry" Benson and believed the two could "spread the gospel together" and "live happily ever after."
