A POLICE officer who admitted flouting an order banning him from contacting his former partner appeared in court to be sentenced yesterday.

David Boag, who was a constable in the North Yorkshire force for 27 years, pleaded guilty at Harrogate Magistrates' Court to breaching a two-year restraining order within 11 days of its imposition.

Boag, 45, of Windsor Lane, Wigginton, York, had been banned from contacting the woman, with whom he had a five-year relationship that ended in February.

Caroline May, prosecuting, said the order was imposed on September 22. On October 3, Boag, who had also been fined £400 for harassment, had been seen glaring at the woman through a window of her office at Joseph Rowntree School, in New Earswick.

The woman, who lives in Haxby, had been alarmed and distressed. Mrs May said the harassment of the woman had begun several months after the pair parted on friendly terms, when Boag learnt she had a new man in her life.

There had been e-mails using the North Yorkshire Police system, text messages and unwanted visits, including one in which Boag had looked through the woman's dustbin.

He had also peered through windows, gate-crashed an all-woman party, contacted her new boyfriend and banged on her doors and windows.

Andrew Cameron, in mitigation, said Boag resigned from the police, losing an £80,000 payment due on completion of 30 years of service.

Court chairwoman Vivien Crabb told Boag the court took breaches of orders seriously. She ordered Boag to carry out 200 hours of community service and ordered him to pay £70 costs.