A man who stalked his ex-partner in Penryn by following her to the gym and writing abusive messages on social media then got her banned from the Miss Great Britain beauty pageant.

Judge Robert Linford told Christopher Paul Nicholas, who appeared at Truro Crown Court from custody, that he had "wrecked her life."

Prosecuting, Denis Mathews said Nicholas, of Trelawney Place, Hayle had pleaded guilty to stalking over a six-month period between January 25 this year and June 12.

The 38-year-old had been in a relationship with the woman for around 15 years, and they had three children, but it broke down last year and she was granted a non-molestation order in January this year.

What followed, said Mr Mathews, was a series of phone calls, emails, contact on social media and driving to places where the woman could be found.

This included driving to the gym that they had both attended and sitting outside, but not going in to use it. He would also follow her back to the former family home.

"There were numerous phone calls during which he was abusive and insulting towards her," added Mr Mathews, who said Nicholas would also threaten men who she chose to spend time with after their relationship had broken down.

People she was friends with on Facebook were contacted by Nicholas, with rumours about her.

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Matters came a head in June, said Mr Mathews, when the woman entered the Miss Great Britain competition to raise money for charity, and "as a way of rebuilding her self-esteem."

She even went to the lengths of borrowing a car from a friend to drive to a dress fitting appointment, so Nicholas would not follow her, but was told when she arrived that as a result of allegations made against her that the shop would no longer be willing to sell her the outfit.

She was then told that she not could not enter the pageant at all.

Robin Smith, defending, said: "There are some issues the defendant takes with some elements of his alleged behaviour. However, having had the last nine weeks to reflect somewhat carefully whilst in custody, he accepted fully that his behaviour, for whatever reason, was completely and utterly unacceptable."

Judge Linford said that should he follow the sentencing guidelines, as he must, the nine weeks Nicholas had already spent in custody meant he would be able to leave court that day with no further punishment.

Instead, he elected to follow the suggestion of the probation officer and sentenced Nicholas to a 12-month community order, with 20 rehabilitation days, plus 100 hours of unpaid work.

He also issued five-year restraining order not to contact the victim directly or indirectly, save through a solicitor for the purpose of family court proceedings, with a condition not to go to Treliever Road, Penryn.