A pensioner given a restraining order for stalking has denied harassing his former wife following the break-up of their marriage after 50 years.  

David Britcher, 81, was sentenced to a six week suspended jail term and banned from contact with his ex-wife and niece after being convicted of stalking, criminal damage and assault last August.

Appearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court he pleaded not guilty to breach of a protection from harassment order by driving slowly past her home on four separate occasions on January 8, 13, 14 and 19.

Josephine Jones, prosecuting, said: “His excuse was that he was going to the supermarket but given where he lives it’s surprising he chose that particular store.”

Britcher, of Buxton Road, Aylsham, admitted two other breaches of orders by entering Drayton.

Magistrates decided against activating his suspended sentence. 

Instead, granting him bail until his trial on February 29, they ordered his movements be electronically monitored by GPS tag. 

He was also banned from entering Horsham St Faiths, despite arguing that this would stop him visiting the grave of his sister.