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Canadian actress Genevieve Sabourin leaves Manhattan Criminal Court after being arraigned in New York April 9, 2012. Sabourin is accused of stalking actor Alec Baldwin.ALLISON JOYCE/REUTERS

A Canadian woman was charged on Monday with stalking actor Alec Baldwin after appearing outside his New York apartment over the weekend following a series of e-mails and messages that in some cases referred to the unmarried actor as her husband.

Genevieve Sabourin, 40, of Montreal was charged with five misdemeanour offences including aggravated harassment and stalking and released on her own recognizance.

New York criminal court Judge Richard Weinberg also ordered Ms. Sabourin to stay away from Mr. Baldwin, and have "no contact whatsoever, direct or indirect," with the 30 Rock actor.

The charges and Ms. Sabourin's arrest on Sunday stem from a series of text messages and e-mails she sent Mr. Baldwin since the two met for dinner in the fall of 2010, according to the criminal complaint filed in the case.

In court, Mr. Baldwin's lawyer said his client, who last week announced his engagement to Hilaria Thomas, had agreed to meet with Ms. Sabourin as a favour to a friend.

Initially, the e-mails and texts after that meeting were simply "annoying" to Mr. Baldwin, and he asked Ms. Sabourin to stop, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.

Last week, the volume and intensity of the e-mails increased and included one that said, in part, "I need to start my new life, with my new name, with my new carrier in my new country help my newly husband, you!" according to the complaint.

It said the e-mails caused Mr. Baldwin "anxiety, annoyance and fear" for his safety and business.

A court-appointed lawyer for Ms. Sabourin, a petite woman who appeared in court wearing all black, told Judge Weinberg that she and Mr. Baldwin "had a mutual relationship with texts, e-mails going in both directions" and added "there is not a single threat here."

A new court date was set for May 14.

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