Conditional discharge for estranged man

Ian Monaghan, 48, of Union Mews on the Headland, admitted a charge of harassment without violence by sending multiple emails between September and November 2015 to his former partner, Adelle Kennedy.

The defendant, a journalist with Johnston Press, was also given a six-month restraining order not to contact Ms Kennedy.

Gary Fothergill, prosecuting at Hartlepool Magistrates’ Court, said the sheer volume of emails had caused Ms Kennedy to feel harassed because the defendant would talk how he wanted them to get back together.”

Neil Taylor defending, said: “None of this was threatening. This is just a father who didn’t want to be out of his children’s lives. He did not want to harass her, but he accepts he had.”

Monaghan was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 surcharge.