Henri Vandenbosch's campaign began when the pétanque club of which he is a member was forced to leave its home in the town's Leopoldpark. The council at first said it was a matter for the concessionary of the park, and refused to intervene. In the meantime, a new pétanque club was set up in the park.
"Since then Vandenbosch has kept on pestering us with emails," complained mayor Ludo Monset. "Just about every day there came mails about how unjust the situation was, and how the city authorities was a corrupt gang. A citizen has the right to air his grievances, but his emails soon went beyond all decency." According to the prosecution, he also began sending the mails, which by now contained the most outlandish personal accusations against members of staff, to the press and to government ministers. Vandenbosch denies being a stalker, and claims he never did anything wrong. "I send people mail, I don't even call them up. Anyone who doesn't want to read my mail can leave it unread," he said.