A man started making indecent phone calls to an Airbnb host six months after he had visited her property with his wife and two children.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard the sexualised calls went on for four months, leaving the victim struggling to sleep and fearful for her safety.

When the calls were made she didn’t recognise Lee Campbell or remember him when he was arrested.

“She did remember that he had given her property a very good review,” said Jackie Partington, prosecuting.

Campbell, 38, of Padiham Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to sending communications of an indecent nature.

He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for two years with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement and an alcohol abstinence monitoring order for 90 days.

He was made subject to a restraining order for 10 years and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation  and £85 costs.

District Judge Richard Thompson said he didn’t know where the behaviour had come from but it was deeply troubling.

“You have caused a considerable amount of anxiety to your victim who you deliberately targeted for the purpose of sexual gratification,” said District Judge Thompson.

“It justifies a prison sentence but, because of your lack of previous convictions I am prepared to suspend it.”

Miss Partington said the victim was not aware who the caller was.

“She had met him when he stayed in her Airbnb property in 2021 with his wife and two children,” said Miss Partington.

“She didn’t remember him but did remember getting a good review from him.

“In October she received the first call from an unknown male,” said Miss Partington.

“He started by asking if she was okay and called her gorgeous before coming out with sexualised comments.”

She said the calls often came late at night and left the victim struggling to sleep. When her partner was working away she had to go and stay with her mother.

She said that when she did an Airbnb ‘meet and greet’ now she felt she had to take her mother along.