The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Stalker stood naked beside victim’ s bed
Court: Brazen pensioner appeared by bedside of hotelier while she slept
An OAP stalker has been barred from approaching a north-east hotel after he appeared naked beside the landlord’s bed as she slept. Dennis England admitted causing Elaine Knight fear and alarm over the course of an eight-month infatuation.
An OAP stalker has been barred from approaching a north-east hotel after he appeared naked beside the landlord’s bed as she slept.
Dennis England yesterday admitted causing Elaine Knight, of the White Horse in Strichen, fear and alarm over the course of an eight-month infatuation.
The 69-year-old made regular one-night bookings from the beginning of March this year, so that he could walk in the nearby woods, Peterhead Sheriff Court heard.
But the retiree’s interest in Mrs Knight led to him repeatedly quizzing staff about her whereabouts and asking her personal questions during his stays.
On several occasions he also delivered her bouquets of flowers.
He eventually crossed the line on his last stay on October 1 when he snuck into the private accommodation where she was in bed with her husband Charlie.
When Mrs Knight woke up and realised he was there, England – who made no attempt to hide his nakedness – asked her: “How are you doing?”
“It appears he’s read the signals completely wrong”
Her husband forced the intruder from the room before the police were called.
Yesterday, England’s solicitor Leonard Burkinshaw said he accepted his actions were not appropriate.
“There was no real reason for it,” he added.
“Initially he would book into the hotel once every two months.
“It appears he’s read the signals completely wrong. He deeply regrets that behaviour.”
On the night of the incident, Mrs Knight had been looking after her three young grandchildren who were woken up by the commotion.
Staff of the hotel had started referring to England as her “stalker”.
Sheriff Annella Cowan banned him from approaching the Knight family – or the hotel – for three years.
In addition, England, of Dubford Place in Aberdeen, will be made to complete 60 hours of unpaid work within the community.
“This is totally unacceptable. Totally unacceptable,” Sheriff Cowan said. “Given your restricted means and also the nature of this offence, I don’t think a fine would be appropriate.”
Mrs Knight declined to comment last night.