A 26-YEAR-OLD man has been given a suspended prison sentence for 'bullying' his ex-girlfriend.

Lee Green, of Mellor Road, Burnley, admitted he could not accept it when the couple's three-month relationship ended.

The defendant had already been made subject to a restraining order, which he admitted breaching four times.

On one occasion, Green was found in the yard of Claire Stobbs's home.

The court heard how he also wrote to her from prison after he was arrested apologising for his actions.

Sentencing him to 48 weeks imprisonment, which was suspended for two years, judge Beverley Lunt, sitting at Burnley Crown Court, said: “Your behaviour towards this lady has been bullying and intimidating.

“I find this obsessive behaviour very worrying. She must be protected from you.”

Green was also subjected to a 12-month supervision order and a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

Defending, Mark Stuart said: “He now recognises his stupid mistake. He was obviously drinking too much and taking far too much cocaine.”