A man who could not accept rejection by his now ex-partner bombarded her with messages and turned up both at and near to her home, a court heard.

Despite being told the relationship was over, Jonathan Cunnea was seen standing outside her property on one occasion when she returned home and threatened to go to her workplace, while also sending her messages accusing her of infidelity.

Durham Crown Court was told on another day as she left her home in her car, she saw him standing at a nearby bus stop watching her as she drove along the street.

Jordan Parkinson, prosecuting, said Cunnea sent the complainant a letter saying he was “broken” and loved her, while his emails continued for several days up to April 23, this year.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

It even appeared he had looked at the refuse in her waste bin and accused her of sharing pizza and lager with another man, implying he had, again, been to her address.

After it was reported to police, Cunnea was arrested on April 24 and has since been remanded in custody as the allegations put him in breach of a suspended sentence for offences committed against a previous ex-partner.

He told police he had been in a relationship with the complainant and accepted having parked outside a bus stop near her home at one stage since it ended.

Cunnea conceded she may have been frightened by some of his messages, although he claimed that was not his intention.

The 35-year-old defendant, of Dorset Crescent, Consett, admitted a charge of stalking on the day of his scheduled trial before magistrates, last month.

His case was sent to be sentenced at the crown court, where he also admitted being in breach of the suspended sentence, both by the commission of the new offence and failing to complete the terms of the previous court order.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

In a statement the latest victim described the defendant as “unpredictable” but said he made her feel as if she would have been guilty had he harmed himself.

Although she had blocked his messages many times, she would have feelings of guilt and so backed down and unblocked them, to the point where she felt drained.

She said she felt that he only pleaded guilty on the day his case was to go to trial because she had turned up at court to give evidence.

But when she was told he had pleaded guilty, having waited at court for an hour-and-a-half on the day of the scheduled trial, she said it felt like, “a massive weight was lifted off my shoulders.”

She believed he had sent her 300-plus voice notes and messages, as well as letters to her address, while also turning up at her home or at the bus stop nearby.

Jennifer Coxon, representing Cunnea, said whatever assistance he was given in probation sessions after his previous sentence had clearly, “not sunk in”.

She said he had complied with the terms of the previous order up to a point but has had issues with alcohol.

“Something has gone wrong because he clearly had the motivation to engage with the Probation Service up to a certain stage.”

Relating to the relationship issues, she said feelings of jealousy and rejection have been identified as factors behind his offending.

“It’s unfortunate he hasn’t found better ways of dealing with his emotions.

“He accepts having caused distress and anxiety to her.”

Miss Coxon said the defendant’s past 12 weeks in custody, “have proved a really sobering experience for him.”

Judge Jo Kidd told the defendant: “When you were lucky enough to receive a suspended sentence order for the last offending you were told what would happen if you breached it.

“You were told you would breach this order if you committed further offences within the next two years or if you failed to comply with the conditions.

“You have breached it in two different ways.

“The suspended sentence clearly proved no deterrence for your behaviour.”

She told Cunnea he acted, “like a controlling bully” in the relationship, “portraying yourself as the victim”.

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The judge added: “You seem to have no insight into the impact of your behaviour with women.”

She imposed an 11-month sentence to include ten months activated from the previous suspended jail term.

But she also put in place a ten-year restraining order forbidding contact or approaches to Cunnea's latest victim.