A MAN who sang “I will always love you” outside the home of a former carer had developed “an unhealthy attraction” for the woman, a court heard.

Retired soldier Brian Walton, 68, has now been banned from contacting the woman or going into her street for the rest of his life.

The carer had resigned from her job with him and moved house to get away from him, said Kathryn Reeve, prosecuting.

But he found out where she lived and stood singing outside her new home.

When he ignored an official police warning to stay away from her, he was charged with harassment.

Walton, of Lotherington Mews, Derwenthorpe, east York, who represented himself, said: “All I want is to plead guilty, pay the fine and go home.”

At the end of a long description of his life and values he said about his offence: “I don’t feel any remorse.”

York magistrates heard he has mental health issues and may not have been taking his medication when he committed the offence.

They made a restraining order to last indefinitely, banning him from contacting the woman in any way or going to her street.

He said he would obey the order.

He was also conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered to pay a £20 statutory surcharge.

Ms Reeve said when the carer was caring for Walton, he wanted to know where she was going and who she was with. He texted and phoned her and she moved address.

“In July this year, he turned up outside her address, singing. She had a short conversation with him telling him to leave,” said Ms Reeve.

“He then started to text her and call her mobile again.”

She contacted police, who served Walton with an official notice that he was not to harass the woman.

“On August 30, she was at her home and she heard singing,” said Ms Reeve. “She saw the defendant singing ‘I will always love you’”.