A woman accused of harassing the chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland is to stand trial at the Old Bailey next year.

Ruby Cooper, 52, allegedly sent an email to Stephen Hester on November 5 in breach of a restraining order that prevented her from contacting Natwest or RBS employees.

The order was originally made at Blackfriars Crown Court in November 2000.

Cooper, who obtained a psychology degree at Stirling University, requested a jury trial and will next appear at the Old Bailey on January 31. She was granted bail on condition she does not use the internet or possess any item capable of accessing it.

Cooper, of Barnet, north London, is said to be living off significant life savings she built up as director of a successful recruitment company.

Neither her counsel nor the prosecutor opposed the judge's decision to send the case to Crown Court.