A MAN who stalked a town centre café worker for a year has been handed an indefinite restraining order.

Paul Dean, aged 51, of The Croft, Haydock Street, was also given an eight-week suspended sentence when he appeared before Bolton magistrates yesterday after being found guilty of stalking involving serious alarm/distress at an earlier hearing.

The charge states he also tattooed her name on his body.

The court heard Dean would turn up at Café Nero where the victim worked, sent text messages to the café’s landline, and walked past the café over the course of a year which started in January, 2015.

Prosecutor Risha Seth said: “If she was on a break he would approach her and say 'hello beautiful'.”

She added: “He handed her a lighter with a burning heart on it saying 'this is for you' , this is how much my heart burns for you.”

Text messages sent to the café included: “I want you to be my wife”.

The victim asked her colleagues to serve him and blocked him on social media.

The situation came to a head when when he left her an envelope containing a letter. Disturbed by its contents, the victim contacted the police.

In his defence, the court heard that Dean wrote the letter as a last ditch attempt which stated if he hadn’t heard from her she would not hear from him again.

Defending Paul Tonge said: “He is a quiet and unassuming. It may be that his appearance belies his nature.

“The defendant apologises for the trouble that has been caused. He is sorry.”

Dr Franklin Baker, chairman of the bench, said: “It is our view that this is a serious matter.

“The victim was significantly upset by this. A restraining order should be made, you did not know this person. We make the order indefinite.”

He warned: “Keep away from her.”

Dean responded: “Without a doubt sir.”

The sentence was suspended for 12 months.

Dean is also subject to a curfew between 7pm to 7am for six months, a rehabilitation order for 30 days he was ordered to pay £350 compensation and £520 in costs.

Speaking after the court case, the victim said: “I’m glad that it is all over.”