Gwyneth Paltrow has given evidence in the trial of a man accused of stalking her.

The Oscar-winning actress gave evidence on Monday in a Los Angeles courtroom about letters that Dante Soiu sent her between 2009 and 2015.

Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow (Jordan Strauss/Invision)

The letters describe Soiu’s intention to marry Paltrow and a pair of earrings he sent her in 2009 as a Christmas gift. Several letters contained pornography and statements that Soiu wanted to cleanse Paltrow of sin.

Soiu, who is from Ohio, has pleaded not guilty.

His lawyer says Soiu has simply written to Paltrow and that recent letters haven’t included pornography. Lynda Westlund says Soiu is a Christian man who is simply trying to minister to the actress.

Earlier the prosecutor, deputy district attorney Wendy Segall, said Soiu has stalked Paltrow for 17 years and sent her 66 letters between 2009 and 2015.

She said Soiu has shattered Paltrow’s sense of security.

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.

Soiu has pleaded not guilty. He shook his head during portions of Segall’s opening statement.

Paltrow was the first witness called and authenticated 48 of the letters, many of which contain religious messages and statements referencing her death.

She testified about letters and packages she received from Soiu dating to 1999, including several that contained pornography, sex toys and statements that he wanted to cleanse her of sin.

Paltrow, 43, remained mostly composed, 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 trousers, she at one point identified Soiu, 66, who was wearing a blue shirt and grey sweater.

Gwyneth Paltrow in 1999
Gwyneth Paltrow in 1999 (Toby Melville/PA)

One letter described Paltrow “bowing to death”. The actress said the reference was disturbing.

In another, Soiu is accused of writing: “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.”

At the top of another letter, Soiu is accused of writing: “I am sorry I hurt you. Please forgive me.”

Paltrow said she recognises Soiu’s handwriting after having received so much correspondence from him.

Paltrow won an Oscar in 1999 for her role in Shakespeare In Love. She has two children with estranged husband Chris Martin, the frontman of the band Coldplay.