A HOMELESS man found driving while disqualified, claims his ex-partner had been stalking him and tipped police off about his driving.Simon Tierney recently left the armed forces where he was based in Germany for 19 years, South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard.

A HOMELESS man found driving while disqualified, claims his ex-partner had been stalking him and tipped police off about his driving.

Simon Tierney recently left the armed forces where he was based in Germany for 19 years, South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard.

Tierney moved to Ipswich because of his partner, but when the relationship ended he was left without a home and told magistrates that is when the problems began.

The 40-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while disqualified for the offence which happened on September 9 last year.

Representing himself in court, Tierney said: “The last eight months have been a nightmare for me. My ex is a stalker-cum-harasser and I ran away from her, but she hired a private investigator to track me down.

“I told her I had gone to Holland, but she found me.”

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, said: “He suggested he was set up by his ex-partner and while I can confirm the police did receive a phone call to say he was driving I cannot comment as to who it was from.

“Officers were told to drive to the Holiday Inn, in London Road, and they found the defendant turning into the A1071.

“He was banned from driving on July 4 last year.”

Tierney was given a community order for 12 months with a 200-hour unpaid work element. He was also made to pay £55 court costs and was disqualified from driving for two years.