Plan B Forum

An 88-year-old veteran left furious after a known prostitute was banned from his sheltered accommodation punched the council worker who stopped her visits, a court has heard.



Former soldier Allan Thipthorpe was livid after officials secured an ASBO stopping Terri-Lee Pearce, 31, from visiting his room and says they are just 'jealous'.

Swindon Borough Council says the ban was imposed for his own safety after they claimed he spent £5,000 of his savings paying her.

But Mr Thipthorpe, who insists she is also his 'carer', has been charged with assault after being caught on CCTV punching council solicitor Francis Maples.

The pensioner will also appear as a defence witness when Pearce goes on trial this summer accused of breaching the ASBO by continuing to visit him.

He said: 'This is just a load of nastiness - the council don't want you to enjoy yourself. I can do what I like, it's my money.

'It's jealousy. She's young and she's got nice legs.

'I've not got long to go, have I? I'm still attracted to ladies.

'I got that young girl to try to do me a job as, you know, my carer. I think I'm entitled to that.'

The prostitute says she gave up sex work two years ago and agreed to be Mr Thipthorpe's carer after they met in a cafe.

But the police and council responded to complaints from residents at Elizabeth House in Swindon, where Mr Thipthorpe lives.

Other residents have said they are 'alarmed and distressed' by her presence and one elderly lady is so terrified she locks her doors and windows whenever she is there.

At Swindon Magistrates Court last July, Pearce admitted she had been with Allan when he had made several large cash withdrawals but claimed they were as payment for her services as a carer.

A judge imposed an indefinite ASBO banning Pearce from going near the OAP or entering any of the 32 council-run sheltered housing schemes in the town.