A Pembrokeshire man who sent “persistent and unwanted letters, phone calls, voicemails, and text messages” to a woman has been handed a suspended jail term.

Christopher Marsh, of St Florence, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on April 26.

The 46-year-old pleaded guilty to harassment between November 10 last year and April 21 this year by sending “persistent and unwanted letters, phone calls, voicemails, and text messages” to the complainant.

Magistrates said that the offence was “so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified”, because it was “persistent action over a prolonged period”, which resulted in “significant emotional harm.”

Magistrates jailed Marsh for 12 weeks but suspended the sentence for 18 months because there was a “real prospect of rehabilitation.”

Marsh was also made the subject of community order to include rehabilitation as well as a restraining order.

He must also pay £85 costs and a £154 surcharge.