A PENSIONER from the North went on trial today accused of harassing an actor who starred as Ray Doyle in television's The Professionals.

Sandra Price, 66, who lived in Settle, North Yorkshire, sent a series of offensive and intrusive letters to Martin Shaw, 63, at his Norfolk home.

Shaw, who also starred in Judge John Deed, told Kings Lynn Magistrates Court that Price had written to him following the break-up of his marriage.

In one letter, in October 2004, she wrote that she hoped the "muck-stirring press and media had the decency to respect" Shaw's privacy.

Shaw, giving evidence in court, said: "I know she had spoken to several people in the village and she was certain that so many people in the village were muck-stirring. It was evident from reading the letter that this was something on her mind, rather than my neighbours."

He added: "She was becoming more and more assuming of an intimacy and a knowledge of my private life that both didn't exist and I found unwelcome."

Shaw, who lives near Norwich, said Price came to his house with a 45-minute cassette tape that she wanted him to listen to.

"It was quite hard listening," he said. "It was a woman's voice, obviously I took it to be Mrs Price. "She said her life was a living hell. She said it was because of me, that she was in great pain. She understood, and only she understood, what my pain was and only she could help and heal. It went on along these lines for a good 45 minutes. It was repetitive."

He continued: "I can't characterise it in any other way than by saying it was spooky. She sounded unhinged."

The court heard Price, who had been seen hiding in a ditch and also parked in a car close to Shaw's home, also left a file detailing the actor's career.

"It referred to happenings in my life, places I had been, movements and so on. It was a very complex dossier on me," said Shaw.

Shaw said he became more frustrated at Price's constant presence and decided the police should become more involved.

"I felt that this woman was unbalanced," he said.

The hearing was told Price made false claims about Shaw's marriage break-up in her letters to him.

"Clearly, it was not only inaccurate but extremely offensive and intrusive," Shaw said.

Price denies harassment.

The court was told Price moved from her home in Settle to live in Hingham - the same village as Shaw.

She allegedly harassed him over a five-year period between 2003 and 2008.

Shaw said he referred to Price as his stalker after becoming aware of her.

He said police issued her with an harassment warning in November 2005.