AN ISLE of Wight man who sent around 200 unsolicited messages to his ex-girlfriend has been handed a restraining order.

Simon North, of St John's Road, Newport, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Friday, May 31.

At a previous hearing in April, the 50-year-old admitted harassment without violence, in Cowes, between September 30 and October 6 of last year.

Prosecutor, Munayah Hassan, said North sent the victim – his ex-girlfriend – around 200 messages over Facebook messenger.

She said he told her he was obsessed with her and the victim reported the matter to police.

Michael McGoldrick, defending, said North had no idea where the victim lived now, had not had any contact with her since, but didn’t shy away from the fact he overstepped the mark.

He said he admitted sending the messages but none of the correspondence contained an element of threat.

The court heard it was out of character for North and he was ripe for rehabilitation.

North was made subject of a 12-month community order, to include 75 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days.

He was also handed a 12-month restraining order and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £114 surcharge.