A LANDOWNER who stopped ramblers using a public path and is accused of assault is waiting to hear when her trial date will be. 

Frances Payne, owner of Hampton Mill in Evesham, put up fencing using barbed wire and chains in April 2021 after originally 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. 

The latest hearing of the case took place at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday, (February 21).

The case was adjourned. Payne, who has unconditional bail, was told to return to the court for the next administrative hearing - when a trial date could be sent - on May 10.

Worcester News: COURT: Worcester Crown CourtCOURT: Worcester Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

  • Payne is still waiting trial for a second matter. 

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 will face trial for that matter at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on May 22. 

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 expected four day trial for that matter is scheduled to take place on October 21 at Worcester Crown Court.