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Woman guilty of harassing TV star | Woman guilty of harassing TV star |
(30 minutes later) | |
A woman has been found guilty of harassing television star Martin Shaw - having boasted in court she was an "itch he could not get rid of". | A woman has been found guilty of harassing television star Martin Shaw - having boasted in court she was an "itch he could not get rid of". |
King's Lynn Magistrates' Court heard Sandra Price, 66, of Hingham, Norfolk, sent "intrusive" letters to the actor. | King's Lynn Magistrates' Court heard Sandra Price, 66, of Hingham, Norfolk, sent "intrusive" letters to the actor. |
She was arrested after petrol was poured through the letterbox of his partner, Karen da Silva, last July. | She was arrested after petrol was poured through the letterbox of his partner, Karen da Silva, last July. |
Price was found guilty of the harassment of Mr Shaw between 2003 and 2008 and will be sentenced next week. | |
The court heard Price delivered a 45-minute audio tape to 63-year-old Mr Shaw's 17th Century cottage and also left a 120-page dossier on his doorstep. | |
'Extremely offensive' | 'Extremely offensive' |
The document, which detailed the actor's career, spoke of how Price had "started to laugh at how much she had got under Shaw's skin" after she was issued with a restraining order in November 2005. | |
In it she described herself as an "itch he could not get rid of, no matter how hard he scratched". | In it she described herself as an "itch he could not get rid of, no matter how hard he scratched". |
She said she first became aware of Mr Shaw, who lives near Norwich, in November 2004 when watching an episode of Judge John Deed. I'm glad it's over. I hope that this ends now and Mrs Price finds some peace Martin Shaw | |
The hearing was told Price made false claims about Mr Shaw's marriage break-up in letters to him. | |
Mr Shaw told the court: "Clearly, it was not only inaccurate but extremely offensive and intrusive." | Mr Shaw told the court: "Clearly, it was not only inaccurate but extremely offensive and intrusive." |
Mr Shaw is famous for his roles in the Professionals, Judge John Deed and Apparitions. | Mr Shaw is famous for his roles in the Professionals, Judge John Deed and Apparitions. |
During the case, it emerged that Price had regularly walked past the homes of Mr Shaw and Ms da Silva - about a quarter of a mile apart - and had also often parked her car close to his home.Martin Shaw starred in the Professionals and Judge John Deed | |
On one occasion Mr Shaw saw Price hiding in a ditch in a field outside his property and was also confronted by her at a nearby airfield. | |
District Judge Tim Daber ruled that an incident in which Price poured petrol through the letterbox of Ms da Silva's home in Hingham was part of a prolonged campaign of harassment against her and Mr Shaw. | |
"I'm quite satisfied that this was a part of a sustained course of conduct and not part of an isolated incident," said Judge Daber. | |
As he left court Mr Shaw said: "I am happy it's over. I thought it was conducted fairly and diligently on both sides. | |
"I think justice was done. I'm glad it's over. I hope that this ends now and Mrs Price finds some peace." | |
Price, who will be sentenced later this month, was warned she may go to prison. | |
"At this stage I cannot rule out any sentencing option but I can't say custody is inevitable in this case," said Judge Daber. |