A Douglas man who hid in his ex-partner’s bedroom with a knife has been put on probation for two years.

Wayne Charles Lee Smith, of Mona Drive, pleaded guilty to two offences of conduct causing fear of violence and provoking behaviour.

He was also made the subject of a restraining order forbidding him from approaching or contacting the woman and three other people.

The 30-year-old has already spent 15 weeks on remand, the equivalent of a 30-week jail sentence, and Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said, but for that, she would have imposed a custodial sentence.

The court heard how, on October 21, a woman called police to say that her ex-partner, Smith, had been harassing her, goading her about their relationship and a video that had been made.

He was issued with a harassment warning notice by police. However, Smith continued contacting the woman.

She received threatening messages on Facebook from fake profiles set up by Smith such as ’You will die’.

Smith was arrested but told police he was being set up and that his account had been hacked.

On November 5, the woman, who was living with her two children, became concerned for her safety when Smith was reported as missing and police decided to move her to alternative accommodation.

However, when police returned to her original address it was clear that someone had been in the house. The loft ladder was down and in the loft police found a pillow and a bottle containing urine.

Smith was found hiding inside a wardrobe in the woman’s bedroom. When discovered, he told police: ’I don’t know how I got here.’

A small kitchen knife was also found where Smith had been standing which the woman later said did not belong in the house.

She told police afterwards: ’I think he would have killed me tonight.’

In a police interview Smith said he was suffering from memory loss but added that he would never have hurt the woman or her children and that he had taken the knife from his grandparents’ house in order to kill himself.

Defending Smith in court, advocate David Clegg said: ’My client has an early history in terms of engaging with mental health services.

’The problems that led up to the offences could have been brewing for some time. This is an opportunity to put a fresh start in place. He’s accepting help.’

Deputy High Bailiff Mrs Hughes said: ’ You were found in the bedroom with a knife.

’It would have been extremely frightening even though your victim was not there at the time.’