Restraining order against Simon Clayton accused of harassment (From Hereford Times)

Restraining order against Simon Clayton accused of harassment

8:00am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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A FATHER who made national headlines when he abducted his own daughter has been handed a restraining order for allegedly harassing a local woman.

Simon Clayton from Llanigon, near Hay-on- Wye, must not come within 200 metres of shop owner and author Adele Nozedar, or contact her by phone, letter, text, email or via the internet, following a hearing in Brecon on Tuesday.

The former book seller, who first made the news when he fled to Portugal days ahead of a custody battle in 2003, was due to face trial for apparently sending Ms Nozedar texts, emails, a parcel and flowers earlier this year, but agreed to the order instead.

Clayton, who lives in a caravan at Little Fford Fawr, appeared only to confirm his details before the ruling was imposed for two years.

Prosecutor Kevin Challinor said the Harassment Act 1997 empowered magistrates to make a restraining order even if the defendant was acquitted and therefore asked them to do so.

Both Roger Dallimore, defending, and his client accepted the suggestion was a “sensible solution to the situation that has arisen” but Mr Dallimore reiterated that Clayton was “absolutely clear the allegations are not accepted”.

“But as a matter of common sense the defendant is prepared to abide by the restraining order made under section 5A of the appropriate act,” he added.

Clayton, 48, went on to conduct numerous interviews with the media after a successful legal appeal to tell his side of the story following the abduction became a landmark case.