Ananova:

A bachelor obsessed with Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw was ordered to stay away from her for five years.

Kevin Sedgwick, 42, was also ordered to stay way from her co-stars Jacqueline Pirie (who plays Linda Sykes) and Jennifer James (Rovers Return barmaid Geena Gregory) when he appeared at Manchester City magistrates' court for sentencing.

Sedgwick had pleaded guilty at a hearing in August to harassing Miss Shaw, 26, who plays hairdresser Maxine Peacock in the soap, for the period January 1995 to August 2000.

Two further charges of harassing Miss James and Miss Pirie were withdrawn by the prosecution on the understanding that the restraining order imposed by the court would also protect them.

District Judge Miriam Shelvey gave Sedgwick a two-year conditional discharge.

The judge made a restraining order banning him from contacting the three actresses either in person or by letter, phone, fax or e-mail for five years.

Sedgwick is also banned for the same period of time from contacting them through correspondence sent to Granada Studios and from entering an area of the city centre which covers the studios, the flats where the three actresses live and the health club that they use.