A family GP told today of his "psychological nightmare" at the hands of a millionaire spinster who stalked him for more than two years.

Catherine Thompson, 41, waited almost every day outside the home of Dr Philip Hart, followed him to work and then booked appointments to see him as often as possible, sometimes several times a week.

Thompson even bought a flat overlooking Dr Hart's surgery in Haywards Heath and inquired about buying a £400,000 house near his home, which he shares with his wife Caroline, 37, and two daughters, aged eight and five.

Thompson was ordered today never to return to her flat in Heath Road, Haywards Heath, and to stay away from Dr Hart and his family for ever by magistrates who last month found her guilty of harassment.

As part of a restraint order, Thompson was told not to go within a mile of Dr Hart's surgery in Heath Road, Haywards Heath, his home in Ham Lane at nearby Scaynes Hill and never to visit two other surgeries where he works.

Today's hearing at Mid Sussex magistrates' court in Haywards Heath heard from Thompson's solicitor Julian Kwollec how she refused to accept any responsibility for the affect her actions had had on Dr Hart.

After the hearing, with his wife by his side, he said: "I hope she will give up now. The last two years have been a psychological nightmare. It's been two years of trauma and stress which has affected my family.

"On an average day she would be waiting for me from 8am outside my home, would follow me to the surgery, would visit me and would then follow me home at 8pm. We used get a half day on Sunday for some reason.

"I have only got through this thanks to great support from my colleagues and from the police. But I now do not like the children to play outside. She was never violent but there was always the worry of what she might do. I hope it all ends now.

"She indicated today that she has no remorse and that worries me. Hopefully we can get on with our lives."

Thompson denied a charge of harassment during a seven-day trial which ended on July 17 with her conviction.

She was also ordered to pay £2,500 compensation to Dr Hart, £5,000 costs and to carry out 100 hours of community labour as part of a three-year probation order.