A man obsessed with a woman he knew since childhood has landed in the dock after allegedly pelting her car with stones and tomatoes.

Paul Roberts, a 30-year old Senglea resident, was taken to court on Wednesday after harassing the woman, a childhood friend and neighbour who he followed around in spite of his unreturned “flirtation.”

The woman had filed several reports against Mr Roberts and even installed a CCTV system at her home, just around the corner from that of her unwanted suitor, prosecuting inspector Eman Hayman told the court.

Despite that, the man kept up the harassment, following the woman around and “throwing things at her,” Inspector Hayman explained.

Matters appear to have come to a head when the man, who later told the police that he had wanted to strike a conversation with the woman, had climbed onto the roof of neighboring property, aiming stones and tomatoes onto her car.

The attempt went wrong, however, with the stones damaging two cars parked nearby.

Mr Roberts denied throwing the items but admitted to the police that he was the man spotted in the CCTV footage, the Inspector said, objecting to a request for bail.

However, defence lawyer Robert Galea stressed that the situation could be kept in check by a temporary supervision order.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras, granted bail against a deposit of €200, a personal guarantee of €2000, an order to sign the bail book twice a week and to abide by a curfew. A probation officer was also appointed.

“Avoid her. Don’t follow or even look at her,” was the court’s final warning.