THE woman found guilty of a five-year campaign of harassment against actor Martin Shaw has avoided a prison sentence.

THE woman found guilty of a five-year campaign of harassment against actor Martin Shaw has avoided a prison sentence.

At King's Lynn Magistrates' Court, Sandra Price, 66, was given a 12-month community order for 240 hours of unpaid work and ordered to wear an electronic tag for six months. She received a restraining order banning her from making any contact with Judge John Deed star Mr Shaw or his partner Karen da Silva and a six-month curfew requiring her to stay at her home in Hingham between 7pm and 7am.

The former shopkeeper was also told to pay court costs of �800.

District judge Tim Daber said: 'It is clear that your actions have had a profound impact on them and they no longer feel safe in their own homes.

'The level of harassment means that I feel I am justified in considering a prison sentence. However, I realise that this is drastic for a person of 66 who is in criminal court for the first time in her life.'

Price was found guilty of harassment at a two-day trial in early January and admitted causing damage by pouring petrol through Miss da Silva's front door. Miss da Silva has since sold her house.

Price began writing to Mr Shaw after his marriage to TV presenter Vicky Kimm broke up in 2005. The following year, Price moved to Hingham, where Mr Shaw and Miss da Silva also live. She delivered a 45-minute tape to the actor's house and left him a 120-page dossier detailing his movements.

Chris Brown, defending, said his client was of previous good character and included herself in community issues with no personal gain. She had recently closed her craft shop and given the stock to a special-needs school and an art college.

Outside court, Mr Brown said his client was pleased the trial was over and would now return to Hingham.