AN ex-soldier who terrorised children in Malvern by wearing a pig mask has been put on a tighter leash.

Stephen Evans of Malvern was made subject to a criminal behaviour order (CBO) at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday (Monday) and the only mask he is now allowed to wear is a Covid one.

The 57-year-old Army veteran became known for causing alarm in December 2019 by wearing a pig mask in public and accosting children in Barnards Green, Malvern.

The CBO was made for two years on the back of conviction of a public order offence committed in November 2020 after he took the 'lollipop' from a lollipop lady.

We reported in 2019 how the Chase School has sent out a letter to parents warning them about the man and urging them to report any incidents to police.

The letter said: "We have been notified by several students and parents of a man acting strangely outside school yesterday. The man was wearing a full pig mask and approaching students on their way home.

"The police are aware and are dealing with this matter, they are also aware of a video circulating on social media and should you have any more concerns about this incident please contact the police in the first instance."

By the terms of the CBO, Evans is prohibited from approaching and speaking to any children in a public place who are not accompanied by an adult or being on or entering Geraldine Road, Malvern (where the Chase High School is situated).

He is not to come within 300 metres of any school building or school entrance between the hours of 8am and 6pm. Evans is also banned from acting in any manner that causes or is likely to cause anyone alarm, harassment or distress and wearing any face mask or face covering in a public place other than a plain mask for Covid protection reasons.

We reported in March how the ex-soldier with a big and brightly coloured bow tie has appeared in court - accused of impersonating a lollipop lady on Remembrance Day.

Stephen Gwylim Evans, who wore a beret bearing the cap badge of the Royal Corps of Signals and an oversized yellow and red polka dot bow tie, denied a public order offence alleged to have been committed against a Malvern 'lollipop lady' and breaching Covid rules when he appeared before Worcester magistrates.

Evans, of Edith Berry Court, Malvern pleaded not guilty to using threatening/abusive/insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause Trudy Macey harassment, alarm or distress on November 11 last year (section 4A public order offence) but has since been convicted of the offence.

Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said: "The brief circumstances are that Mr Evans approached Trudy Macey, a lollipop lady. The allegation is that he takes the 'lollipop' when Mrs Macey has not got possession of it for a brief moment in time.

"He then undertakes the duties of Mrs Macey. Mrs Macey remonstrates and states he's not insured to stand in the middle of the road."