A man has admitted stalking a Tesco worker, causing her alarm and distress.

But Maidstone magistrates felt unable to pass sentence on Shane Chaney, previously of Rose Court, Straw Mill Hill, Tovil, as he was currently being detained at Priority House mental health unit at Maidstone Hospital.

Chaney was escorted into the court room by two members of staff from the health unit, where he has been sectioned since March.

After listening to advice from probation officers, the chairman of the bench, Linda Jones, decided to postpone sentencing until April 26 when she hoped she would have a report from the hospital on Chaney's mental condition.

Prosecuting, Mark Kateley said Chaney, 53, had pestered the employee over a considerable period of time.

He would wait in the store to ensure he was only served by the woman, he would stare at her, and sometimes wait outside the shop in Farleigh Hill for her to come out. He frequently referred to her as his daughter.

The effect on his victim was to make her fearful of going to work. She changed her route frequently and asked colleagues to escort her to her car at the end of her shift.

In court, Chaney apologised for his behaviour. He said: "I've known her for about 18 months. She never told me to get lost. I understood we were friends.

"Now I know the truth, I won't go into the shop any more and I apologise for any stress I have caused."

The court heard Chaney had a string of convictions dating back 35 years including offences of theft and burglary and a previous conviction for stalking another woman in 2013.

He was bailed to attend court in two weeks, with the condition that he did not visit Tovil Tesco nor contact the staff worker.