Littleborough artist Walter Kershaw given a restraining order for stalking

Littleborough artist Walker Kershaw has been given a restraining order after admitting to charges of harassment brought against him by Catherine Mitchell, Kershaw’s former lover.

The restraining order bans Kershaw from contacting Miss Mitchell and her mother for two years. He is also banned from displaying a photo, painting, sketch, drawing or any image of either victim. He was also ordered to pay Miss Mitchell and her mother £250 each in compensation as well as receiving a 12 month community order. Kershaw's guilty plea was taken into account when the sentence was imposed.

It is understood that Kershaw stalked Miss Mitchell, one of his life models for over four years, after he became infatuated with her when she agreed to pose nude for him. Kershaw, 73 and Mitchell, 42 then began a twelve month affair.

After the relationship fizzled out Kershaw began pursuing his ex lover and would wait outside of churches, follow her around the aisles of supermarkets, would send her love letters and romantic cards and would slowly drive past her home blowing kisses at her. It also emerged that Kershaw would pester Miss Mitchell's 69-year-old mother by turning up at her house to ask about her daughter.

Kershaw, of Todmorden Road, Littleborough, also placed an oil painting of Miss Mitchell in the front window of his art gallery in Littleborough.

In March 2010 a harassment order was issued and Kershaw was ordered not to contact Miss Mitchell.

A second order was then issued for Kershaw at the end of March 2010 relating to Miss Mitchell's mother.

A friend of Miss Mitchell then contacted the police in January of this year and he was warned about his behaviour.

In August, Kershaw approached Miss Mitchell a number of times in Littleborough and proceeded to grab her arms whilst asking her to get into his car. After this incident, Kershaw was arrested.

The father of two admitted to harassment at Bury Magistrates Court on Tuesday 17 December.

Kershaw was given a 12-month conditional discharge by magistrates in March 2013 after punching Peter Aspinall in the face in August 2012.

Walter Kershaw rose to fame in the 1970s and was dubbed the “original Bansky” after his large scale murals on houses caught people’s attention. During his career, he appeared on BBC TV and radio shows and did interviews with the likes of Janet Street Porter, Anna Ford and the late Russell Harty. His work has been displayed as far as Sao Paolo in Brazil.