A 56-YEAR-OLD man who became "besotted" with a woman he met out walking his dog, bombarded her with letters and began to stalk her, a court heard.

William Maguire Blevins was made subject to a two-year restraining order after Carole Unsworth claimed he terrorised her and made threats of violence.

Burnley magistrates heard he then flouted the order by sending her a letter after he heard her mother had died.

Blevins, of Travis Street, Burnley, alleged he had a brief relationship with his victim but she denied there had been anything between them apart from the exchange of pleasantries when they had been out walking their dogs. Miss Unsworth was said to have had to have counselling and seen a psychiatrist because of the defendant's behaviour.

Blevins admitted breaching the restraining order, made last September, and was given an 18-month conditional discharge with £75 costs.

Elizabeth Reed, prosecuting, said Blevins would turn up at Miss Unsworth's house and knock on her door late at night. Her window was broken and she believed it was the defendant trying to get her to go outside.

Last December, Miss Unsworth received a letter from Blevins saying he was sorry to hear about her mother dying. He said he didn't want himself and Miss Unsworth to ignore each other and suggested they may wave to each other or acknowledge each other.

The defendant said he was sorry for what had happened in the past and hoped maybe they could still be friends. Miss Unsworth was upset as she thought the matter was at an end.

Mrs Reed said Blevins had described a brief relationship with Miss Unsworth last summer but he thought she was seeing other men. She categorically denied there had ever been a relationship between them and wanted him to keep away from her.

Dermot Woodhead, defending, said Blevins had not been round to Miss Unsworth's home or phoned her since the order was made.

He was told in the post office that Miss Unsworth's mother had recently died and he considered it was appropriate to send her a short letter of condolence, expressing his sympathy and apologising for his conduct of the previous year.

The defendant felt guilty about what he had done last year and did not for one moment think the letter would cause distress to the complainant. He did not deliver the letter personally, even though he lived near Miss Unsworth, but sent it through the post.

Mr Woodhead added Blevins was now in a relationship with somebody and did not wish to contact Miss Unsworth.