AN ALLEGED stalker was arrested on Valentine’s Day for breaching a temporary order given to him two days earlier by magistrates.

Royal Wootton Bassett man Stewart Hendry, 32, is said to have bombarded his life coach with 113 text messages over 12 hours last month.

He met the woman, who works for training company Seetec, after being referred to the organisation by the job centre last year.

Wiltshire Police applied to Swindon magistrates for a stalking protection order banning Hendry from contacting his former coach, her colleagues and going to the multi-storey car park opposite her workplace.

He opposed the application but officers were given an interim order ahead of a trial hearing on April 17.

But Hendry had breached the order within a day when he called Seetec and told the woman’s workmate: “I’m not stalking her. She’s got the police involved.”

Prosecutor Keith Ballinger told Swindon Magistrates’ Court the complainant in the case had become very distressed when she was told the man had called.

Police officers went to his home in Royal Wootton Bassett on Valentine’s Day to quiz him about the order breach.

He was arrested by PC Raimon Hartley for that breach and allowed to go to his bedroom to get dressed.

Hendry was sat on the bed putting on his socks when he launched himself at the officer, pushing him with both hands and causing him to stumble back.

Interviewed by officers, Hendry said he had not fully understood the stalking order as he had “injured his head” while at court on Wednesday.

Appearing in the dock with a wound on his forehead, Hendry, of Queens Road, pleaded guilty to breaching an interim stalking protection order and assaulting an emergency worker.

Gareth James, defending, said his client had been referred to Seetec by the job centre.

“He is a gentleman who has learning difficulties, who struggles to cope with everyday life and needed support.”

At first there had been no issues between Hendry and his coach. But as the man’s mental health deteriorated the behaviour that got himself into trouble began.

The complainant in the case had been in a meeting when the man called. She had had no direct contact with him.

Magistrates fined him £160, deemed paid by time served in the cells.