The brother of a missing teenage girl whose mystery disappearance three months ago hit national headlines, was told by a judge to stop taking the law into his own hands.
In what the judge described as "a real tragedy" Haydon Croucher had been accused of threatening a man who had dated 19-year-old Leah Croucher and who he believed was involved in his sister's disappearance.
The 23-year-old entered the dock facing a charge of causing Adnan Choudhry to fear that violence would be used against him by making threats and sending threatening and abusive messages between February 1 and April 30.
Judge Francis Sheridan told the missing girl's brother: "This is a real tragedy. You and your family are entitled to and deserve our utter sympathy."
His sister, Leah Croucher, has not been seen since she disappeared from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, on February 15.
The 19-year-old disappeared while walking to work on Buzzacott Lane, Furzton, on that morning just after 8am.
On May 13, Mr Croucher posted a picture on social media, with a message which said:
"Was suppose to have court today as I'm attacking Leah's ex-boyfriend, 27-years-old, married and Muslim who in our opinion groomed and mistreated her he had mk finest in his name, he f***ed with the wrong people."
Prosecuting at Aylesbury Crown Court on Thursday, Sandra Beck said: "There is a very unfortunate background in relation to this matter.
Senior officers are involved in a major crime investigation into his sister, who is of course missing and has been for the last three months."
Judge Sheridan asked: "Posters that you see all over Aylesbury and Milton Keynes are in respect of this man's sister?"
The prosecutor confirmed they were and added that it was not in the public interest to continue the prosecution if Mr Croucher would accept a voluntary restraining order which would protect Mr Choudhry.
Judge Sheridan asked Mr Croucher, of Milton Keynes, if he would accept the restraining order and he answered that he would.
The judge said: "You and your family are entitled and deserving of utter sympathy from everybody, because Leah has gone missing.
"I cannot go into the details of the police investigation but can tell you it is being controlled at a very high level. It is detailed and, if I respectfully say so, they really are trying desperately hard.
"You must allow them, however strongly you feel, to do the investigating. You will jeopardise their investigation if you get it into your head that somebody is responsible for it.
"The police have fully investigated the person that you suspected. There is, at this stage, nothing to support those suspicions.
"Can I plead with you to behave so that police can complete this investigation, I would love to say 'with a happy ending,' but I simply do not know. She is missing."
Judge Sheridan imposed a restraining order which prevented Mr Croucher from approaching within 25 metres of Mr Choudhry, contacting him in any way, or visiting the Knowles Hill area of Milton Keynes, which would be in force until any further orders were made.
The order is equivalent to an order made after an acquittal, the court heard, but breaching it could lead to a criminal conviction.
Addressing Mr Croucher once more, the judge said: "I repeat, the family have the court's sympathy, but I beg you, please, let the police do the job and there is no basis for your suspicions about Mr Choudhry.
I am quite confident the OIC (officer in charge of the case) will keep you and the family abreast of developments if there are any."
Ms Beck said: "On that basis, I offer no evidence."
Thames Valley Police had said three people had reported possible sightings of Leah Croucher near Furzton Lake later in the morning on the day she disappeared.
Despite emotional pleas from Ms Croucher's family, as well as a £5,000 reward having been offered for any information which could lead to her being found, police have not found any trace of her since she disappeared on February 15.
The officer in charge of the search, Chief Inspector Neil Kentish, said: "Frankly, our officers who are investigating Leah's disappearance have never dealt with a case like this before.
"It is extremely rare for someone to go missing without leaving a trace, but this is what has happened to Leah."
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "Mr Choudhry is a witness who has provided a detailed statement regarding his friendship and relationship with Leah. The investigation team have spoken to Mr Choudhry on a number of occasions since Leah disappeared and he has always made himself available.
"Officers are continuing to receive information and reported sightings of Leah all of which are assessed and investigated accordingly. At this time there have been no further confirmed sightings since Leah was seen in Buzzacott Lane, Furzton at 8.16am on Friday February 15.
"Thames Valley Police remain committed to finding Leah. We are investigating a number of lines of inquiry and we continue to support Leah's family through this incredibly difficult and upsetting time.
"We are continually working with Leah's family to identify lines of inquiry and opportunities to seek information and maintain the public profile of the investigation."
