Fern Britton stalker James Haviland sentenced after "disturbing and scary" campaign against Celebrity Big Brother star

James Haviland, of Great Oaks Chase, Chineham, Hampshire, was accused of sending Fern Britton flowers and staying in the cottage that she rented in Cornwall.

He pleaded guilty to stalking the former Celebrity Big Brother star without causing fear, alarm or distress, between November 20, 2021 and September 16, 2023, in the Wadebridge area. The court previously heard him admitting tracking down the celebrity by driving more than 200 miles to be close to her.

Haviland first sent her flowers and cards, before driving to Britton’s village near Padstow, Cornwall, four times and last year even spent a week renting the holiday cottage. It wasn’t until November he was reported to the police when he attempted to book again, and action was finally taken against him.

The 66-year-old former Ready Steady Cook host lived with her TV chef husband Phil Vickery for 10 years but after their marriage ended and both her parents died, she decided to move to the village in 2020. She often updates her social media followers on her daily activities including going on countryside runs and spending her time with her cat Barbara.

Her online presence caught the eye of Haviland, with sources claiming his campaign was "disturbing and scary" before he eventually turned up in the village where she lived.

He stayed in Ms Britton’s property for a week in September 2023, and made a further booking to stay there for another week in November of that year. Haviland also stayed in the same village on three occasions between February and November 2022.

He also sent “unwanted” flowers to Ms Britton on three occasions, twice with a card, between November 2021 and July 2023 – and he also made an unfinished further order for flowers in June 2022.

Sentencing Haviland at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Stephen Apted said he had caused the former This Morning presenter “distress and anxiety” by his “prolonged campaign” of stalking.

As well as the restraining order, the defendant was handed a 12-month community order which requires him to complete 12 rehabilitation sessions and 150 hours of unpaid work – and he was told to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.