A RYDE man who severely harassed his ex-partner has been sentenced by Island magistrates.

Adam Churches, 38, of West Hill Road, had previously admitted harassment without violence, in a court appearance on January 6.

The offence took place between September 4 and September 8, 2021.

Prosecutor, Ann Smout, previously told the court the victim had been in a relationship with Churches and the pair had two children together.

The harassment began when the victim woke up at 1.30am to find Churches standing over her wanting to speak.

The court heard at 9am, Churches sent her 29 messages, saying he wanted to kill himself, and demanding her attention, money and information, in relation to a van.

Ms Smout said the victim also received 24 missed calls, and once she blocked him, he turned up announced the next day asking her to reconsider.

Ms Smout said the victim did as requested, but Churches tried to call her 21 times during a lunch break, and turned up at her work unannounced.

Churches continued to message and call constantly, and it all culminated when he pulled up in front of the victim as she was leaving work.

At one point he said he was going to drive off a cliff and it was all her fault.

Ms Smout told the bench the harassment was particularly severe, as Churches had used the children as weapons to intimidate the victim.

Henry Farley, defending, said the couple had been in the habit of letting each other into their houses, but accepted Churches had crossed the line into criminal behaviour.

He said the victim had been talking about taking the children to India for some months, and Churches was upset and not in agreement.

Mr Farley said the situation was not as scary as it was dressed up to be.

Churches was made subject to an 18-month community order to include 25 rehabilitation days and 60 hours of unpaid work.

He was given an 18-month restraining order and must pay costs of £85 and a £95 victim surcharge.