Jennifer Garner 'stalker' sent to mental hospital

Garner obtained a restraining order against Mr Burky in 2008

A man accused of stalking actors Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck has been sent to a state psychiatric hospital by a Los Angeles judge.

Steven Burky, 37, pleaded no contest to two counts of stalking the couple and their children, but the judge found him not guilty by reason of insanity.

Mr Burky was ordered to Patton State Hospital indefinitely until doctors declare him mentally fit.

He must also stay away from the couple and their family for 10 years.

Mr Burky was arrested in December after he showed up outside a nursery school attended by one of the couple's daughters.

He was charged with stalking and violating a restraining order Garner obtained against him in 2008.

That was put in place to prevent him from going within 100 yards of her or her family for three years.

At the time, the actress told the court she believed Mr Burky's "obsessive, threatening and stalking behaviour" posed a threat to her and her family, claiming he had followed her since 2002.

Garner and Affleck have two daughters together - Violet, 4, and Seraphina, who is 14 months old.