LOS ANGELES, Dec 18: A man allegedly obsessed with famous Hollywood director Steven Spielberg planned to stalk, handcuff and rape him, according to statements released yesterday.

Deputy District Attorney Rhonda Saunders made the allegations during secret grand jury proceedings on October 8 against Jonathan Norman, 29, who was caught several times at Spielberg's residence in Pacific Palisades. She said that after being caught, Norman told detectives about the handcuffs and his obsession with raping Spielberg.

Norman was carrying a check list of items, including four nippleclamps, chloroform and three dog collars, which he had purchased, detective Paul Wright told the grand jury.

Transcripts of the grand jury had been sealed until yesterday. Norman's trial has been set for January 13. Spielberg testified that he and his family were in Ireland filming Saving Private Ryan when Norman was allegedly at his house on June 29 and July 11. But he said close family friends were staying in the house. After learning about the stalker, Spielberg said his immediate reaction was ``disbelief''. But later, ``...I completely panicked and became upset and afraid to tell my wife.''

Asked about how he felt when he heard the stalker was carrying duct tape, a knife and handcuffs, Spielberg responded, ``What anybody's reaction would be. (Norman) was on a mission and, had he not been caught, he would have you know, thank God he was caught -- he would have completed his mission,'' Spielberg testified. After learning of the stalker, Spielberg said he increased security for his children.

Hollywood's top director, whose epic Amistad was just released here, said his security team worried that Norman would somehow get on the set. ``I was shooting a war movie and we had a thousand soldiers firing guns and firing blanks,'' Spielberg testified. ``I was very upset that he could have shown up in Ireland, put on an American uniform, got access to a gun with live ammunition and created an international incident."

According to court documents, Norman went to Spielberg's home and told guards he worked for Spielberg's DreamWorks SKG studio, but was turned away. He returned on July 11 at 1 am and told the security guard that his vehicle was breaking down.

Later he was found running through a neighbor's backyard carrying a datebook in which he detailed his obsession with Spielberg, Saunders said. When apprehended, he claimed he was Spielberg's adopted son. Security guards found a knife, duct tape and several pairs of handcuffs on him and in his car. ``(Norman) said he believed that (Spielberg) wanted to be raped by him ... and that's why he had brought the (handcuffs, duct tape and knife) along,'' Wright said.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.