OAP stalker said he was checking up on a “beloved” dog

A PENSIONER has admitted stalking a woman by driving past her house on multiple occasions, taking photographs outside her home and loitering in a supermarket knowing she was there.

John Michael Andrews said he did not mean to cause distress to the woman between January 30 and April 13 this year, arguing he was checking up on a “beloved” dog at her property.

Andrews, now living at the Coastal Park Hotel in Queen Victoria Road, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to stalking which amounted to the harassment of the woman, when he appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Along with loitering at Morrisons supermarket, Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said Andrews, aged 72, had also approached the woman’s vehicle at North Dock in the town on April 11 and asked neighbours and police staff for information relating to her.

The charge also read that on April 12 Andrews had “stopped outside the house to take photographs”, and the following day arranged to meet an estranged relative of hers at Morrisons car park, knowing she would be at the store.

Mrs Vaughan added: “The facts speak for themselves.

“The defendant says he and the victim had lived together for a long period of time, but she says it was not a relationship.”

A victim impact statement by the woman, read to the court by Mrs Vaughan, stated: “Every time I saw John it didn’t make me feel good, I wanted peace and quiet.

“John was the last thing I wanted to deal with.”

Defence solicitor Kathryn Devonald-Davies said a probation report would be needed ahead of sentencing, saying: “This (hearing) has just touched the surface and there is a civil case between the two of them at the moment.

“They were together. He now finds himself living at the Coastal Park Hotel and suffering depression.

“His life has been turned on its head.”

Explaining the reasoning for Andrews going to the woman’s property, Ms Devonald-Davies said: “There was a beloved dog and it was not very well so he was trying to check on it.

“That is resolved, so he has no need to visit the property.

“My client is sorry he has caused distress.”

Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned the case until Thursday for sentencing.

Andrews was granted conditional bail, meaning he must not contact the woman directly or indirectly.