A PENSIONER has been told by a court to stay away from his love rival.

Lloyd Shea, aged 67, has been given a 12-month restraining order which forbids him from contacting Michael Blick, either directly or indirectly, after he punched him and damaged his £1,000 hearing aid.

The incident was the culmination of a long feud between the pair, who had fallen out over Linda Wright, a woman in her 50s.

Mark Soper, prosecuting, told Worcester Magistrates Court that Shea, of Chedworth Drive, Warndon, walked up behind Mr Blick as he drove down the pavement on a mobility scooter at about 7pm on Tuesday, July 26.

Shea then punched 69-year-old Mr Blick twice in the face, causing bruising around his eye and damaging his hearing aid.

Mr Soper said that Shea’s version of events, given to the probation services, should be disregarded.

“It seems there is a bit of history between Shea and Miss Wright,” said Mr Soper. “He believes she is his fiancée. This is not correct.

“Shea has made a number of reports to the police about Mr Blick which appear to have no basis in truth – they are simply to interrupt Mr Blick and Miss Wright’s lives.”

But Mark Sheward, defending, said: “There are always two sides to a story.

“The common denominator is Linda Wright. My client was in a relationship with her and has not been told he is not still her fiancé. Some time ago, Blick came on the scene. There is now some degree of a love triangle. Mr Blick moved in with Miss Wright. Shea does not agree with it – he thinks Blick is taking advantage of Miss Wright.”

He said Shea had been to the police station to raise his concerns and had also contacted social services.

On this occasion, he became angry after seeing Mr Blick on the mobility scooter, which he believes is Miss Wright’s.

“Mr Blick actually has a bicycle,” said Mr Sheward.

Sentencing Shea, chairman of the bench Nicola Phillips said: “This was a nasty assault which took place in a public place where any member of the public could have been witness to it.”

As well as the restraining order, Shea was given a 12-week curfew order between 7pm and 7am and ordered to pay £75 compensation to Mr Blick for the assault, as well as £50 towards a replacement hearing aid and £60 court costs.