Estate agent David Bloom was told by a judge that he had "disgraced himself" after embarking on a campaign of harassment against his former girlfriend.

Bloom, 39, of Stanmore, Middlesex, could not accept the end of his relationship with Amanda Freeman and stalked her and sent her text messages.

Last Friday, Judge John Plumstead, sitting at St Albans Crown Court, issued a three-year community order against Bloom, with a Saturday-night curfew for four months. The judge also passed a five-year restraining order banning him from contacting Ms Freeman or going within 100 yards of her.

Bloom was convicted of harassment at Central Hertfordshire Magistrates Court on May 26 last year and was given a restraining order not to contact his victim or go to her workplaces. But he breached the order by texting and phoning Ms Freeman.

The judge told him: "I hope I never see you again. If I do see you, be under no illusion what will happen to you. You have disgraced yourself. Pull yourself together and accept your life without this lady."

Bloom said: "Thank you."