Braintree stalker Kevin West banned from entering Colchester

The victim began sleeping next to a safety alarm after Kevin West, 61, kept turning up at her house and place of work.

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard the woman ended their four month relationship after West’s “over the top” affection “made her feel uncomfortable”.

The news left West, of Rustic Close, Braintree, “heartbroken”, but his desperate campaign to win her back left her fearing for her safety.

Frightening - West followed the victim in his car after bumping into her in Asda, Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

Appearing before magistrates this morning (Thursday), West admitted stalking his former partner, from Colchester, between June and August.

Shefa Begum, prosecuting, said: “The relationship was OK but she felt it was a bit weird. At the start, they had only been for two cups of coffee and he said he loved her.”

Ms Begum said as West grew fonder of his partner, she started to feel more “uncomfortable” and eventually ended things.

“However, in June he turned up at her work and asked if they could go for a coffee,” added the prosecutor.

Suspended sentence - Kevin West appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court (Image: Archant)

“He then returned the following week and was hiding behind the shop watching her. This behaviour was repeated every week.”

On another occasion in July, West, a school caterer, followed the woman in his car after bumping into her at Asda in Turner Rise, Colchester.

He was also captured on her Ring doorbell sneaking through the back gate of her Colchester home, while another time West left flowers and chocolate at the property.

Tia Ojo, mitigating, said: “It was a short relationship, a duration of four months, however he states they did spend a great deal of time together.

Campaign - West stalked his victim between June and August (Image: Newsquest)

“He was extremely heartbroken in relation to the relationship ending.”

But chairman of the bench Gerry Batchelor said: “The lady made it clear to you on more than one occasion that this was unwanted.”

He suspended an 18 week prison sentence for 18 months and made a five year restraining order banning West from contacting the victim and from entering Colchester.

West must undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of a rehabilitation activity.