A LANDOWNER who stopped ramblers using a public path will make her latest court appearance at Worcester Crown Court tomorrow (February 21). 

Frances Payne, owner of Hampton Mill in Evesham, put up fencing using barbed wire and chains in April 2021 after claiming she was assaulted and abused near her own home.

Payne was given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) in February 2022 which prohibits her from being abusive or aggressive to any member of the public using the footpath.

The 58-year-old is facing a number of trials for various offences this year. 

Worcester News: COURT: Frances PayneCOURT: Frances Payne (Image: SWNS)Payne denies an offence of common assault. The prosecution alleges Payne committed the offence on May 30 last year in Evesham.

Payne also faces a charge of breaching her criminal behaviour. The prosecution alleges that offence took place on the same day and location. 

Payne, who has unconditional bail, has previously been told her case has been sent to the higher court for trial. 

A pre-trial hearing will take place at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday when a date could be set for the trial.

  • Payne is still waiting trial for a second matter. 

Worcester News: COURT: Frances Payne is to appear at Worcester Crown CourtCOURT: Frances Payne is to appear at Worcester Crown Court

Payne denies a charge of using threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress. 

The Section 5 public order offence is alleged by the prosecution to have taken place in Evesham on January 13 last year. 

Payne's expected three-hour trial was set to take place at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on February 6 but was adjourned. 

She will now face that trial at the Kidderminster court on May 22 this year. She is on unconditional bail for that offence.

  • Payne also faces a trial for a third matter.

Payne denies three breaches of a criminal behaviour order (CBO), three charges of assault by beating, and using threatening, abusive, insulting words, and behaviour to cause harassment alarm or distress.

The breach of the order is alleged to have taken place on June 1, 2022, and one of the assaults is also alleged to have taken place on that date. 

The other two alleged assaults are said by the prosecution to have taken place on June 23, 2022.

Some of those she is accused of assaulting are children.

Payne's trial for that matter is scheduled to take place on October 21 at the court.