A CONVICTED sex offender ignored requirements of a sexual harm prevention order as he harassed his estranged partner.

Blackburn magistrates heard she had dumped Steven MacDonald after being given the choice between him and her job in a school and her children.

But he refused to accept her decision and bombarded her and her family with messages and calls and on social media where he used bogus names to set up accounts.

MacDonald, 45, of West View, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order by failing to notify the police of his profile on Instagram, harassment by sending gifts, cards, flowers, bank transfers and hundreds of unwanted texts and calls and harassing her adult son by sending him hundreds of WhatsApp messages.

He was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for one year and ordered to do 100 hours' unpaid work and pay £85 costs.

He was made subject to an indefinite restraining order which prohibits him from having any contact with the victim and her son or any member of their family.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said the couple had met through an internet dating site and he had told her he was a registered sex offender, although he claimed he had been wrongly accused.

“After she was spoken to by the offender management unit she ended the relationship,” said Mrs Yates.

“During the first week he contacted her via WhatsApp up to 15 times a day saying he loved her and missed her. She told him she wanted no further contact.”

Mrs Yates said later the victim was contacted by hospital staff who said he had tried to commit suicide and had given her name as next of kin.

“He contacted her son and her niece telling them how much he missed her and urging them to encourage her to contact him,” said Mrs Yates.

She said MacDonald sent the victim flowers and DVDs and made transfers into her account.

“She found his behaviour disturbing and worrying,” said Mrs Yates. “Her son started to receive calls and messages and he said the constant bombardment left him feeling stressed.”

Richard Prew, defending, said his client had become obsessed and it had taken the police intervention to bring him to his senses.

He said since the break-up MacDonald had attempted suicide three times.

“He fully accepts a restraining order which reflects the fact he can’t have any more contact with this lady or her family,” said Mr Prew.