David BaleA woman was subjected to four and a half years of harassment by her ex-partner, who banged on her windows virtually every day, put love letters in her post, and finally pushed half a melon through her catflap.David Bale

A woman was subjected to four and a half years of harassment by her ex-partner, who banged on her windows virtually every day, put love letters in her post, and finally pushed half a melon through her catflap.

William Sim, 55, appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court yesterday for sentencing, after earlier pleading guilty to harassing ex-partner Carole Lees.

The court heard they had been a couple for about three years but four and a half years ago she split up with him.

Ben Brighouse, prosecuting, said that Sim, who lives near her in council properties in Peterkin Road, Tuckswood, Norwich, had continued to harass her.

Mr Brighouse said: 'She has had continuous problems with Mr Sim not letting go.

'He banged on her windows and doors every other day. He bangs so hard she's scared the windows will break.

'He shouts at her 'What's wrong with me?' and 'Why don't you want me?' and uses his mother's phone to ring her. She has been in a relationship since but that did not work out because of this problem.

'He's always drunk when he does it and two weeks ago he put half a melon through her catflap, because he said he thought she might like some fruit. When she received the melon she said she found it very strange.

'He also put love notes through her door.'

Mr Brighouse said Sim was warned about his conduct by police last November, but it continued.

He added: 'It has got to the point that she's had enough. She has been prescribed pills to help her sleep. This is one of those cases that the only outcome the Crown is seeking is a restraining order, which will up the ante. Mr Sim needs to appreciate it needs to stop, as it's making this woman's life an absolute misery.'

In mitigation, Ryan Creake said Sim, who has two grown-up daughters he has little contact with, had finally accepted the relationship was over.

Mr Creake said: 'He very much loved the complainant and still cares for her. Mr Sim drinks very heavily and when he does he feels lonely. These were gestures of love and a crying out. He did not mean any malice and would like to apologise.'

To make sure Sim does not bother Miss Lees again, magistrates handed him a restraining order for 12 months.

This means he cannot contact either directly or indirectly Miss Lees, bang on her windows or doors or post anything into her property, and, if he sees her, he must ignore her.

Sim was also handed a 12-month community order with six months supervision and a six-month alcohol treatment requirement.

No order for costs was made.