Pensioner stalked plumber

A pensioner developed such an infatuation with a plumber who carried out repairs at her home, that she began stalking him, eventually turning up at his home and scaring his family, a court has heard.

Joan Heywood, 67, was placed under an indefinite restraining order and put on probation for 12 months after pleading guilty to one charge of harassment when she appeared at Bury Magistrates Court in Greater Manchester.

The court heard that she first met the 40-year-old plumber, who was employed by Age Concern, when he came to her home in Powell Street, Bury, to fix her washing machine 11 years ago.

Despite their age difference she became infatuated with him and was not put off even when the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told her he was married with a young child and was not interested in her.

'Out of control'

The court heard that Heywood bombarded the self-employed plumber with love letters and taped messages and made efforts to find out where he was working whenever she saw his van near her home.

Marion Nolan, prosecuting, said things got out of control in 1999 when the defendant began to turn up outside the man's home and sent letters to him and his mother.

Mrs Nolan told the court that on one occasion the security light came on at 11pm at the plumber's home and when his wife looked out of the window she saw Heywood on all fours creeping up the garden path.

On another occasion, the court heard, the plumber spotted the defendant near his home armed with a poster which read "Call at my house, let me know."

Child frightened

Mrs Nolan said the situation became so bad that his child became frightened.

Roger Taylor, acting for Heywood, told the court: "She has not been driven by malice.

"What the aggrieved wanted originally was to be left alone. What he wants is a restraining order and I think that all ends are best served by making that order."

Heywood was placed under a restraining order banning her from approaching the plumber or any of his family. She was also ordered to pay £15 costs.