Pensioner fined and given a restraining order after stalking a woman

A PENSIONER has been fined and given a two year restraining order after 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 was sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates Court.

At a previous hearing on June 13, the court heard Andrews 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, had pleaded guilty on June 13, to stalking which amounted to the harassment of the woman, 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.

At the June 13 hearing, explaining the reasoning for Andrews going to the woman’s property, defence solicitor Kathryn 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.”

He was fined £240 for the stalking offence, ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

Andrews was also given a two year restraining order, meaning he must not contact his victim - along with no contact via the internet or phone communication.