A LANDOWNER who was given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) for stopping ramblers using a public path will now face three trials this year after denying a new offence. 

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.

In February 2022 the 57-year-old was given the CBO which prohibits her from being abusive or aggressive to any member of the public using the footpath.

Payne made her latest court appearance at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, (January 18). 

The 57-year-old denied an offence of common assault. The prosecution alleges Payne committed the offence on May 30 last year in Evesham.

Worcester News: COURT: Frances PayneCOURT: Frances Payne (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

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

Payne entered no plea to that charge when it was put to her by the court clerk. 

Payne, who has unconditional bail, was told her case would be sent to the higher court for trial. 

The defendant was told to attend Worcester Crown Court for the next hearing of the case on February 15.

  • Payne will face another trial at Worcester Crown Court later this year. 

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. 

Worcester News: BLOCKED: The blocked public footpath at Hampton Mill BLOCKED: The blocked public footpath at Hampton Mill (Image: SWNS)

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 is scheduled to take place on October 21 at the court.

  • Payne also faces a trial for a third matter next month. 

As we previously reported 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 is set to take place at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on February 6. She is on unconditional bail for that offence.