A COUPLE has successfully had a restraining order extended to stop a 70-year-old man harassing them.

A restraining order was first served on businessman James Jay of Hentland near Ross-on-Wye, in June 2016.

But last week Herefordshire Magistrates Court found that Jay had abused the terms of the original order and had continued to harass and cause distress to Malcolm and Barbara Harris, who live in Kynaston.

The terms of the restraining order were amended and it was also extended from two to five years, and will last until June 2022.

The court heard Jay had been making unnecessarily frequent ‘inspection’ visits to a septic tank, serving his property, sited on their land – up to once every four weeks.

Mr Harris said: “After a most arduous time we are grateful and relieved that common sense prevailed and the court has seen fit to put an end to an intolerable situation.

"We have successfully thwarted just one of many ‘campaigns’ against us but we are now determined to persevere in our efforts to right the many wrongs and put an end to years of abuse."

Jay is not to contact the couple directly or indirectly, unless through a solicitor.

He is also not to enter any land owned by them or instruct anyone else to do so, other than in accordance with any legally valid easement, provided that a pre-arranged specific date and time to suit the couple, and it is agreed with their solicitors at no less than six monthly intervals.