A 46-YEAR-OLD man who was struggling to accept the end of a relationship bombarded his ex-partner with messages and phone calls.

Blackburn magistrates heard Gary Gilmartin was given a harassment warning by the police but was back in touch the following day.

Gilmartin, of Bayley Street, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to harassing Helen Lockyer.

He was made subject to a community order for six months with a 10 day rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £50 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

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He was made subject to a restraining order for five years, which prohibits him from having any contact with Miss Lockyer or entering Briercliffe Road, Burnley, where she lives.

Andrea Fawcett, prosecuting, said the couple had only been in a relationship for six months. Miss Lockyer told him it was over and he became angry. He sent a number of texts and was continually calling her.

"He turned up at her home and she hoped they could have a dignified conversation but that proved not to be the case," said Miss Fawcett. "At one stage he was sat on the floor hugging her legs."

She called the police and her father who persuaded him to leave and he was issued with the harassment warning.

"Despite that, the very next day she got a number of communications from him saying how much he loved her and wanted the relationship to continue," said Miss Fawcett.

Miss Lockyer subsequently received a hand delivered letter, repeating how much he loved her, and on another occasion an envelope containing £500 was pushed through her letterbox.

Glenn Smith, defending, said his client had been stunned when he was told the relationship was over. They had recently been on holiday together and were due to go away again soon.

"My client was arrested at work yesterday and the 24 hours he has spent in custody has been a chastening experience," said Mr Smith. "He feels stupid and naive behaving in the way he did. The last 24 hours have made him realise how serious the situation is."At one stage he was sat on the floor hugging her legs