A police officer has been accused of installing cameras at his ex-girlfriend's home to track her every move.
PC Amin Bedri, 35, is charged with stalking his ex Tasmin Bennet by interfering with her property and peeping at her messages.
Westminster Magistrates Court heard that he is accused of having put cameras around her home and watched her movements between February and March.
Prosecutor Sudara Weerasena said: 'It was a domestic case and did not take place when he was on duty.'
Bedri stood in the dock wearing a grey two-piece suit and red tie, charged with two counts of stalking without fear, alarm or distress.
But the copper, of Tottenham, north London, denied the claims and will stand trial next January at the same court.
He was released on bail on condition that he does not contact Ms Bennet or her new partner, Alex King.
Last year reports of stalking and harassment shot up by almost a third as the UK's coronavirus lockdown lifted according to official figures.
The Office for National Statistics laid bare the figure which peaked during the summer months of 2020.
Statisticians analysing the data found the reports rose in England and Wales, despite most other crime figures dropping during 2020.
The region with the most stalking cases across England and Wales was revealed as Merseyside.
Examples of stalking include following somebody, bombarding them with messages, making unwarranted complains about them or threatening and using violence.
