A MAN accused of stalking X Factor winner Joe McElderry and his mother was yesterday convicted of harassment.

Ennis McBride, from Stockport, was found guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court and given a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the singer or his mother.

He was also fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £915 costs.

Judge Roger Elsey said of McBride: “He... has not been a compelling witness and lacked credibility.

“He totally lacked insight into the impact of his actions on the complainants.”

The 53-year-old, a part-time PHD student with a degree in psychology and philosophy and another in counter-fraud and criminal justice, must not come within 100 metres of his victims or communicate with them. McBride became a fan of Mr McElderry, from South Shields, when he appeared on X Factor, winning the 2009 series.

But later he became abusive on Twitter, posting offensive comments relating to Mr McElderry.

He became obsessed with a gift of 50 opera CDs he asked to be given to the singer after a show in Brighton, becoming concerned they had not arrived, then convincing himself he was being lied to by the singer’s management.

A year ago, McBride turned up at Mr McElderry’s home when he was in the bath, but was turned away by the singer’s best friend.

He then turned up at Mr McElderry’s former home. His mother, Eileen Joyce, was alarmed at McBride’s behaviour and told her son to lock his doors.

Mr McElderry said: “I was feeling quite shaken and confused, and a bit creeped out.

“My mum sounded very alarmed and distressed.”

On Christmas Eve, she saw McBride in Asda and later that day he was arrested outside their home.

Mr McElderry told the court: “My mum rang and said the stalker is back and he’s in Asda.

“She sounded really upset, but she was more concerned where I was.

‘‘I understand that I am on the public platform and I appreciate the support I get, but I do not think I should be made to feel unsafe in my own home.”

The court heard that McBride set up a Twitter account called mcelderrytruth, through which derogatory tweets were sent to Mr Mc- Elderry.

Explaining the gift of the CDs, McBride said: “I thought they would benefit his singing as a pop singer if he became acquainted with opera.”

Asked if he intended to cause harassment, he said: “No, absolutely not. I would not have done that.”

McBride said as he left court that he intended to appeal.