FERN BRITTON STALKER RENTED HER HOLIDAY COTTAGE AND SENT FLOWERS AND CARDS
A stalker stayed in the holiday cottage of Cornwall-based TV presenter Fern Britton and sent her unwanted flowers and cards.James Haviland began his stalking campaign by sending the 66-year-old TV personality flowers in November 2011.
He then traveled 200 miles from his home to stay in the village where she lives in north Cornwall.
As the harassment intensified, Haviland booked to stay in a cottage she owns and rents out in the area.
Last week, Haviland appeared via video link to Bodmin magistrates court in Cornwall and pleaded guilty to a single charge of stalking without fear, alarm or distress.
The charge involved pursuing a course of conduct that amounted to stalking Britton between November 2021 and September 2023, including sending flowers, staying in her village and renting her cottage.
The court noted that he sent flowers in November 2021 and June 2023, traveled to her village multiple times, and stayed in her cottage in 2022 and September 2023.
Haviland, from Chineham, Basingstoke, will be sentenced next month after a probation report is completed.
He was granted bail and faces a possible high community order.
Haviland, who wears glasses and was dressed in an open-neck shirt and jumper, acknowledged understanding the charge before pleading guilty.
Fern Britton divorced her first husband Clive in 2000 and was married to chef Phil Vickery in the same year; they split in 2020.
