A man who refused to accept his relationship had ended, bombarded his ex-girlfriend with texts, letters and calls to try and get back together again.

On one occasion, the victim ended up running away and locking herself in the bathroom after seeing the defendant, Barry Phillips, pressed up against the glass of her front door, looking in. She was hanging net curtains to try and protect her privacy at the time, Douglas magistrates were told.

For the prosecution, Mark Benson said 53-year-old Phillips had an on-off relationship with the woman, who lives in Douglas, from 2012 until February this year.

’The relationship ended due to his behaviour and she said she wanted no further contact,’ Mr Benson said.

’At this stage they remained on fairly good terms but the defendant called her the next day. He kept asking to see her, she refused, he became angry and she ended the call.’

Between February 4 and March 13, he said Phillips made numerous attempts to contact her sending texts, flowers, making calls and driving slowly past her house looking in.

He sent hand-written letters to her trying to persuade her to go with him on a trip to Scotland. Following advice, the victim kept a diary of events. On March 12, Phillips visited the house, knocking loudly on the door but left when the victim filmed him.

The following day, seeing Phillips’ car parked outside as she was returning to her house, she started to run for the front door as he sped towards her in the car. She complained to police who served a notice on the defendant. But a week later on March 20, she returned home to find a hand-written letter from the defendant in her living room.

Phillips, of Patrick Street, Peel, admitted harassment.

Defending him, Paul Glover said Phillips’ behaviour had not been malicious and was not meant to be threatening. He said Phillips had given the victim money for a divorce and bought her an engagement ring.

He received a 12-month restraining order and a conditional discharge but pays £125 costs.