Raymond Farrell (44) was in a 13-year relationship with Barbara Bentley that ended last August and she began receiving unwanted text messages from him in February.

Prosecutor Becky Mahon told Chesterfield magistrates the gist of the messages was to tell Ms Bentley: 'Keep your mouth shut and stop making me out to be a pervert'.

Miss Mahon added: "She told him she didn't want any contact with him and she made a complaint to police.

"He was interviewed and he said all he wanted was to collect his football trophies from her."

Farrell, of Woodland View, admitted harassment between 1st February and 14th May.

Magistrates said there was 'perhaps a degree of provocation' and gave him a one-year conditional discharge.

They also imposed a two-year restraining order banning him from pestering Ms Bentley and ordered him to pay £60 costs.

In mitigation, Steve Brint said: "He dealt with matters in a rather immature way. There was a long relationship - it was on and off.
"He had lived with her for over three years and he had left behind some belongings, such as the football trophies."

He told the court that Farrell received text messages containing unsavoury allegations about him from August to February. The messages were not from Ms Bentley but he felt she had instigated them.