A relentless stalker frightened a city worker so much she was forced to flee her Billericay home, a court heard.

Marie Natusch claimed businessman Stephen Darby had stalked her after their relationship had ended.

He bombarded her with telephone calls and trailed her to and from her job in Moorgate in London, it was alleged.

Southwark Crown Court heard that although she had moved out of her home and into her mother's house, the 41-year-old defendant was still watching her every move.

Darby, of Roman Road, Brentwood, denies five breaches of a restraining order issued by City of London magistrates in November 1998, under the new anti-stalking legislation.

Miss Natusch, in her twenties, told the court: "He started making contact again, physically and by telephone - both to my home telephone, to my work mobile and to my place of work.

"It was not with my consent, I was frightened. I told him to stop."

The tearful woman said Darby would come to her home and followed her when she moved to stay with relatives. Contact continued when he began to meet her on her way to work and confront her when she left.

Sobbing, she said: "It was just considerable pressure... just pressure to resume the relationship... just pressure."

"It was continuous - he was being really cruel."

In a letter to Miss Natusch, left wedged in the window of her car, Darby wrote: "I do love you and always will. Please find it in your heart to forgive me."

Leon de Costa, prosecuting, said of the defendant: "He is convinced she still wants him and will succumb to his pressure.

When arrested earlier this year, Darby told officers: "I have been living with her. We have been to court and they threw it out."

The case continues.

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