A TRAINEE barrister from Lancaster has appeared before Preston Crown Court charged with harassing a man he wrongly accused of having an affair with his ex-girlfriend.

Kevin Murtagh, of Watery Lane, Scale Hall, pleaded guilty to causing fear of violence through harassment and was told by Judge Peter Smith that only his guilty plea had saved him from an immediate prison sentence.

Mr Murtagh, who was said to have "risen from humble beginnings" to pass his law examinations with honours, will now have to appear before a Bar Disciplinary Committee.

The court heard that Murtagh became convinced that a local joiner, Simon Ward, was having an affair with his former girlfriend.

He went round to the man's home saying "Do you know what I do for a living?" and threatening to send round people who would harm him.

Prosecutor, Roger Green, also said he would contact people in Northern Ireland.

Mr Ward tried to calm him down, thinking he was drinking but six days later he reappeared and made similar threats. This time he grabbed hold of the man's jacket and swung him round, Mr Green told the court.

Judge Peter Smith said he had "intimidated and threatened" a totally innocent man who he wrongly believed was having a relationship with his ex-girlfriend.

Judge Smith sentenced Murtagh to a 50 hours community punishment order and warned him that if he approached his victim again he faced jail.

Defence brief, Gwynn Price-Rowlands, said his clients career was now "on the line." He had completed all his examinations and was awaiting a call to the Bar.

Everything now depended on the outcome of the disciplinary hearing but, added Mr Price-Rowlands, the defendant was "extremely sorry for his actions and the distress it had caused."