A man accused of harassment had sent unwanted letters from Altcourse prison to his former girlfriend professing his love while on remand, a week-end court heard.

Jonathan Edward Hughes, aged 36, of Liddell Drive, Llandudno, had a previous conviction for stalking the young woman and in the past had harassed other girlfriends, said Angela Narey, prosecuting at Llandudno.

Although there had been no threats the ex-girlfriend felt anxious, closed her curtains at night and stayed in the house, cancelling arrangements to go out.

She kept checking the back garden, where Hughes had once been found hiding.

Deborah Davies, defending, said it was really “quite sad” but his last letter had been to apologise.

However the would be living for the next eight weeks at a Bangor probation hostel and conditions included reporting signing in three times during the day, a strict curfew and courses in building better relationships and in thinking skills.

Mrs Davies suggested that with this strict support and intervention a suspended sentence would be appropriate.

Magistrates agreed and Hughes, who pleaded guilty to harassment, was given a twelve weeks sentence suspended for a year, with £200 costs.

Court chairman Rob Bradley told him: “Clearly this passes the custody threshold but we are going to make a suspended sentence order because we feel that because of the intervention of the probation service you deserve another chance.”