Unpaid work for man who spray painted insults on woman's path

Sean O’Meara, 31, of Cambridge Court, Preston, admitted harassment, possession of cannabis and criminal damage.

Preston magistrates heard in an earlier incident O’Meara had banged on the woman’s window and told her he would be “there all night”, before the victim phoned his mum, who came and took him away.

The victim returned from work the next day to see the love heart, her name and a man’s name painted on the road.

O’Meara left her a voicemail calling her a “snake” and “toothfaced” - and she later found the same words painted on the path outside her house.

He must do 120 hours unpaid work, pay the council £250 compensation and pay an £85 surcharge.

The bench imposed a restraining order.