A 46-year-old man who showered his former partner from King's Stanley with gifts of wine and chocolate after their relationship ended has been sentenced to an 18-month community order for harassment.

Cheltenham Magistrates Court heard yesterday that Jeremy Hill had known the woman from King's Stanley since 2016, but they had never lived together.

Prosecutor Graham Dono said that prior to the couple’s relationship ending in January 2019, Hill had spent a lot of money on her and her family.

“Hill spent huge sums on the maintenance of the woman's King's Stanley home, bought her a car and gave her gifts of cash.

“However, she became overwhelmed by the amount he was spending on her and her family and believed he was trying to buy her affection.

“On one occasion as Hill’s relationship with the woman was ending, she returned home unexpectedly one morning to find Hill inside her house.

"She had not given him a key and reported Hill’s behaviour to the police."

“However Hill continued to lavish gifts on the woman, including tickets to horse racing events and concert tickets while continuing to harass her on social media and sending her text messages. She again contacted the police, who then warned Hill of his behaviour.

“The victim said that Hill had known her routine inside-out and she was forced to completely change her lifestyle and her route to work. She said that the harassment had a massive impact on her life."

Nikki Shaw defending said: “A lot of what has been mentioned in court is not part of the charge. Hill has pleaded guilty to the harassment of the victim between September 14, 2019 and January 21, 2020 by sending the woman chocolate, wine, birthday and Christmas cards and kindling wood, as well as sending her messages by social media.

“Hill said he thought he was just being generous towards the woman and her family, but in reality his love was not returned.

“There was never any threat of violence towards the woman."

Steven Pitt, chairman of the magistrates, observed: “This was persistent behaviour which came to the attention of the police.”

Probation officer Neil Hewitt told the court: “Hill fully accepts that his harassment of the woman from September last year was out of order, but said it was in his nature to be kind as he wanted to make her happy.

“He has admitted that he carried on with his obsessive behaviour after he was warned by the police because he didn’t realise the impact it was having on her.”

The magistrates ordered Hill to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work as part of his 18-month community order and pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £90.

Hill, of Shakespeare Close Alderton near Winchcombe, was also given a six month restraining order.