The 33-year-old, of The Knoll, previously pleaded guilty to causing harassment of his ex-partner between 1st March 2007 and 8th August 2007.

Previously, Mansfield Magistrates' Court had been told how Westwell had sent several postcards to his children knowing that his ex-patner would read them which contained comments that would cause her distress.

Westwell also admitted stealing funds from Lloyds TSB on 29th December 2006, 3rd January 2007 and 6th January 2007, as well as obtaining money by means of deception on 3rd January 2007.

He obtained money by deception by applying for a £16,000 loan via internet banking pretending to be his ex-partner.

In a statement, the complainant said she had not applied for the loan or online banking and therefore she knew it had to be Westwell who had applied for the loan as he knew both her personal and banking details.

Sentencing, District Judge Mervyn Harris said: "These are very serious offences and a community order would not be enough, but because of your guilty plea I am not going to send this to Crown Court where you would face a stiffer penalty.

"You also have two other public order convictions against you and one of these against the complainant. These offences have been over a long length of time and you have used the children to get at Lynnette."

The judge gave Westwell concurrent imprisonment sentences of four months for harassment and six months for dishonesty charges –– which are suspended for 12 months.

Westwell was also put under 12 months supervision, ordered to pay £300 compensation and given a five-year restraining order.

After the hearing Westwell's ex-partner Lynnette Westwell told Chad: "It has been a hard three years and I am just so glad it is over with now.

"This means that myself and my children can finally move on and get on with our lives.

"It is definitely the best possible outcome and the judge's decision was much more than we expected."