A WINSFORD man has been hit with a restraining order after bombarding a woman with unwanted messages for almost four months.

Paul Birchall, of Burland Grove, appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court on September 4 for sentencing on a charge of stalking without fear or distress.

The court heard the 50-year-old harassed his victim between October 1 last year and January 23 this year.

During this time he sent the woman numerous unwanted messages as well as attended her property.

Birchall was charged with stalking and later pleaded guilty to the offence at a court hearing on July 8.

Taking his admission into account when passing sentence, magistrates handed him a 12-month community order.

As part of this, Birchall must complete six months of alcohol treatment and up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

The bench also imposed a 12-month restraining order, banning him from, directly or indirectly, contacting his victim.

Birchall is also prohibited from attending a specified address in Winsford, as well as a specified business in the town.

Magistrates ordered him to pay £85 in court costs and a £114 surcharge.