A STALKER who placed a tracker on his victim’s car so he could engineer seemingly innocent encounters with her has been ordered to pay compensation of £3,000.

Peter Beaven targeted a woman over a three-year period having first encountered the victim at a dental clinic nearly a decade ago.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday how Beaven, 70, would hide behind parked cars before approaching her and insisting on walking her to her place of work.

Serena Berry, prosecuting, said: “The victim did not encourage this behaviour.

Gazette: Community order - Peter Beaven was given a two-year community order by officials at Colchester Magistrates' CourtCommunity order - Peter Beaven was given a two-year community order by officials at Colchester Magistrates' Court (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

“If the victim was having a conversation with someone in the street, the defendant would loiter until the conversation had finished and try and escort her to work.”

Beaven, 70, also sent a valentine’s card to his victim which had a QR code inside; when the victim scanned the QR code, it contained a message telling her she would see Beaven at a certain time and date.

The scale of Beaven’s offending was revealed when the victim took her car to a garage for a routine repair, with a mechanic informing her a tracking device had been placed on her car.

The victim then reported the tracker to Essex Police but said she couldn’t be sure it was Beaven who had placed it on her car.

She then took a lunch break later than usual, and when she returned to her place of work she found Beaven was once again waiting for her.

Beaven, of St Peters Street in Colchester, later admitted to police he had placed the tracker on his victim’s car two years ago.

Mrs Berry said: “He said he placed the tracker on her car so he could try and meet the victim at a location away from work which would look like an accident."

Gazette: Stress - the court heard how the victim had been caused significant stress and had to change her lifestyle as a result of Peter Beaven's offendingStress - the court heard how the victim had been caused significant stress and had to change her lifestyle as a result of Peter Beaven's offending (Image: Newsquest)

The court heard how the victim had replaced her car since the incident and installed an alarm system at her address.

The victim also had to change her daily routine and suffered nightmares because of the incident.

Beaven, who was formerly a civil engineer and is divorced from his ex-wife, was ordered to pay £3,000 in compensation to his victim and will serve a two-year community order.

He must also carry out 140 hours of unpaid work and complete 40 rehabilitation requirement days.