A VENTNOR man who admitted harassing his ex-girlfriend of six weeks — giving her nightmares and causing her to flee her home in fear — has been sentenced.

Corey Dexter, of Lowtherville Road, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The 26-year-old admitted harassment without violence, between April 30 and June 4, 2021.

Prosecutor, Ann Smout, told the court Dexter’s case was a domestic matter in which he had been warned by police not to contact the victim.

She said Dexter and the victim had been in a very short but intense relationship, which started in March and ended in April.

Mrs Smout said the victim had begun to feel stifled and was the one to end the relationship.

The court heard she reported an incident to police, and officers told Dexter not to contact her again.

Mrs Smout said Dexter had gone overboard buying presents for the victim, which were returned to him, but around a week later he sent her a necklace in the post which he told her to keep — telling her he would not contact her again.

But on May 16, Mrs Smout said Dexter tried to contact the victim once more, and a day later, he messaged one of her friends asking her to get the victim to contact him.

The court heard he made several more attempts to contact her – a text message on the final occasion, where he asked her to phone him for 'closure'.

Mrs Smout said Dexter was arrested and interviewed, at which time he admitted sending drunken text messages and confirmed he had already been warned by police.

The victim, through a personal statement, described feeling scared to leave the house and also having to flee to another address because she did not feel safe at home.

She said she had nightmares since the incident, was terrified Dexter could harm her, and felt like she was always looking over her shoulder.

The court heard Dexter had a number of previous convictions – the most recent in 2014 for battery.

Barry Arnett, defending, said Dexter had no ill feeling toward the victim, and at the time of the breakup, he also had to deal with his stepfather’s cancer diagnosis.

Mr Arnett said Dexter had been drinking to blot out the difficulties in his life and it all got on top of him.

The court heard his messages were not particularly sophisticated, and he never made threats.

Mr Arnett said there had been no issues since.

He said Dexter was extremely sorry for what he did, learnt his lesson and was on the road to rehabilitation.

Dexter was given a nine-month community order, to include 20 rehabilitation days, and made subject of a two-year restraining order.

He was fined £115 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £95 surcharge.