A man who stalked a woman, sending her voice recordings and threatening to choke her in her sleep, has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Christopher Wilson, 41, of Lilburn Close, Shildon, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded guilty to stalking involving serious alarm or distress, between July 9 and 16.

The court was told his conduct had an adverse effect on the day-to-day activities of his victim.

According to the charge, he made unwanted contact by sending her messages, voice recordings, making threats towards her that he was going to choke her in her sleep.

He also had been watching her home address.

Magistrates sentenced him to a custodial sentence of 24 Weeks, but suspended it because there was a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation".

As part of his sentence, he was ordered to undergo alcohol treatment for nine months and was ordered to pay compensation £200.

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He was also ordered not to make contact with his victim, directly or indirectly by any way whatsoever - or get someone else to do so on his behalf.

Wilson was further ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £154.