Court bans Eubank stalker

A judge yesterday ordered a man alleged to have stalked the wife of the former world boxing champion Chris Eubank to stay away from her home.

A temporary injunction against Russell Bennett, 32, who is in hospital undergoing treatment under the Mental Health Act, was granted at Brighton County Court.

The case came on the day that the Government announced it would bring in measures to outlaw stalking "at the earliest opportunity" after rejecting as "unworkable" and "full of flaws" a private Bill put forward by the Labour backbencher Janet Anderson.

Yesterday's injunction issued by deputy district judge Albery Hunphry was taken out by Karron Eubank, 30, against Mr Bennett after he was arrested on the roof of the couple's home in Hove, East Sussex, wearing the ex- champion's boxing shorts and trainers on Tuesday night.

Mrs Eubank pressed a panic button to alert police after spotting him when the house's security alarm went off. Police said she was "terrified" as she watched him roam through the gym which adjoins the house.

A police helicopter was called out to trap an intruder.

Damage estimated at pounds 4,000-pounds 5,000 was done to the house belongings, including a pair of 29-year-old Eubank's boxing gloves, said police. Paperwork relating to the boxer's business interests was also defaced.

A spokesman for Eubank - who was away on business - later said he was "upset" by what happened.

No charges were brought against Mr Bennett, who was ordered to undergo treatment.

Later, outside the court, Mrs Eubank's solicitor, Miss Naomi Turner, said the injunction prevented Mr Bennett, 32, from going within 200 metres of the boxer's property and pestering or harassing her.