A pensioner has been warned he faces jail for breaching a restraining order for stalking and harassing his ex-wife following the break-up of their 50 year marriage.

David Britcher, 81, was handed a six week suspended jail term and banned from contact with both his estranged wife and his niece after being convicted of stalking, criminal damage and assault last August.

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told he had repeatedly ignored the court order by entering areas of Drayton and Spixworth where he is banned from. 

Jane Brewer, prosecuting, said he had committed “persistent breaches” to two separate restraining orders that have been put in place until May 2025.

Eastern Daily Press: Britcher was twice found at The Otter pub despite being banned from entering Drayton Britcher was twice found at The Otter pub despite being banned from entering Drayton (Image: Geograph/Adrian Pye)

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In the last 12 months he had committed nine offences including stalking and assaulting his ex-wife, theft of her jewellery and criminal damage, she added.   

Magistrates had previously ordered his movements be electronically monitored by GPS tag but this had not happened due to his age and health, the court was told. 

Despite being prohibited from entering Drayton he had been seen at the Otter pub and entering Tesco on January 17, said Ms Brewer.

Police were called to the pub again on January 24 where he blamed his age for being confused about the details of the restraining order.

Britcher, of Buxton Road, Aylsham, pleaded guilty to harassment by breaches of a restraining order.

Ms Brewer told magistrates they must activate the suspended jail sentence unless it was unjust to do so. 

READ MORE: Man who denies stalking banned from entering village

Magistrates, who ordered a re-sentence report, told Britcher he faces prison because his “serious offences” were identical to those for his original sentence.

A further breach of a protection from harassment order by driving slowly past her niece's Spixworth home on four separate occasions was withdrawn after prosecutors agreed to vary the area he is banned from in a bid to stop further breaches. 

Lisa Robinson, mitigating, said he would be contesting whether it was “just” to send him to prison due to his age.