A STALKER obsessed with Fern Britton drove 200 miles to stay in her holiday cottage in the village where she lived.
James Haviland, 63, of Basingstoke, Hants, tracked down the TV favourite in a “disturbing and scary” campaign.
Last week he admitted stalking her for two years to magistrates in Cornwall.
He started by sending the former This Morning presenter cards and flowers, then began travelling more than 200 miles to be close to her.
Grey-haired Haviland stayed in her village near Padstow, Cornwall, four times.
Last September he spent a week renting the holiday cottage she owns and tried to book again in November before being reported to police.
Celebrity Big Brother star Fern, 66, moved to the out-of-the-way spot in 2020 after living with TV chef husband Phil Vickery in Buckinghamshire for ten years.
She said it had helped her heal after they split following 20 years of marriage, and her parents passing away.
Fern appeared in two series of Channel 5 show My Cornwall.
She regularly posts social media pictures enjoying countryside runs and beach picnics, and telling of her cosy evenings with her cat Barbara.
But within two years she started to get unwanted attention from Haviland — which sources described as “disturbing and scary”. He then turned up in the village.
Last week Haviland appeared at Bodmin magistrates’ court where he admitted stalking without fear, alarm or distress.
The charge covered a near two-year period between November 20, 2021 and September 16, 2023.
‘Distressing’
Prosecutor Samantha Rogers named “Fern Britton, a TV personality” as his victim.
She said: “Over a prolonged period he sent flowers, stayed in a particular village moving closer to where she lives and staying in a cottage that she owns.”
Haviland appeared in court via video link. He wore glasses and a jumper over an open-necked shirt as he confirmed he understood the charge.
JPs bailed him while a probation report was prepared ahead of sentencing at Basingstoke magistrates court on June 18.
Mum-of-four Fern used to holiday in Cornwall as a child, then became a local reporter there in the 1980s.
Over a prolonged period he sent flowers, stayed in a particular village moving closer to where she lives and staying in a cottage that she owns
Prosecutor Samantha Rogers
She previously clashed with snapper George Bamby, who would follow and take pictures of her near her home in Holmer Green, Bucks.
Fern told her 140,000 followers on Instagram of a “distressing” encounter with the “menace”.
However there is no suggestion Bamby actions were illegal. Fern declined to comment last night.
