A STALKER who sent his victim flowers and loitered outside her car has been hit with a restraining order.

Paul Smith, of St Chad's Fields in Winsford, appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court on May 10 to be sentenced on a charge of stalking without fear.

The 42-year-old had previously pleaded guilty at a hearing on April 11 earlier this year.

Magistrates heard Smith attended the woman's address numerous times between September 1 and October 13 last year.

During this time he also sent her unwanted flowers and a letter, as well as being spotted hanging around her car.

Taking his guilty plea into account, the bench handed Smith a two-year community order.

As part of this order he must complete up to 30 days of rehabilitation activity and 200 hours of unpaid work.

Smith was also handed a five-year restraining order banning him from contacting his victim directly or indirectly by any means.

He is also prohibited from entering a specified address in Winsford.

The bench also ordered him to pay £85 in court costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.