The Anchoress granted interim stalking protection order against ex-Mansun member Paul Draper

As The Guardian and NME reports, the interim stalking protection order was imposed at the request of Surrey Police after The Anchoress, real name Catherine Anne Davies, accused Paul Draper (formerly of Mansun) of sending “abusive and sexually orientated" messages.

Draper contributed to Davies' first album as The Anchoress - 2016's Confessions of a Romance Novelist - which led to Davies helping Draper write songs for his Spooky Action album that was released the following year. Magistrates in Guildford were told last month that Davies and Draper had previously been in a relationship and worked together on music.

Speaking on behalf of Surrey police, Barrister Kris Berlevy said that since their relationship ended in 2018, "there has been a sustained campaign by Mr Draper of emails, social media messages, and the like, against her and her partner."

Berleyy continued, "The messages take the form of abusive and sexually orientated messages, which are extensive and regular." He also told the court that there are 116 pages of evidence to support the claim.

In court Draper denied harassing Davies, saying he's not responsible for the "vast majority" of the messages, and also claimed that there was a "significant background" to any contact he had made.

Draper is banned from contacting Davies, her partner and her family members, including "inciting another person to do so", and from posting any material which refers to them. He is also prohibited from signing up to any sites or subscriptions in Davies’ name, and isn't allowed to visit her or her family's home. If Draper breaks the order, it could result in instant imprisonment.

He will be allowed to complete his tour in March and April 2023, and the full allegations will be heard in May.