A MAN repeatedly harassed his ex-girlfriend after she ended the relationship, a court has heard.

Calum Martin Coull, 25, of Homend Crescent, Ledbury, pleaded guilty to the charge of harassment without violence when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Nicola Ritchie, prosecuting, told the court that Coull had been in an on-and-off relationship with his victim for about a year.

But when she ended the relationship in April, telling Coull she was not happy and wanted to move on, he struggled with her decision, saying he would kill himself.

Between April and May, he repeatedly called her landline and mobile numbers in the early hours and throughout the day, forcing her to change her number.

He also sent messages to her mother, and two pictures of his dog alongside written notes in the post

The harassment came to a head on May 7, after Coull visited the victim's street and shouted verbal abuse at her. Later that same day, he posted a private picture of his victim on Instagram, with the caption: "Anyone want easy sex then message this thing. She will give you everything."

In a statement, his victim said she was very upset and just wanted Coull to stop.

She said it had made it hard for her to leave the house or concentrate in college, and that she had lost friends as a result.

Emma Thorne, for Coull, said he has psychiatric issues including autism, and that this was directly related to his behaviour.

"He is probably not 25 years old in his mental function, and is not well set up to deal with the end of a relationship," Mrs Thorne said.

"He accepts what is happening, but he has no control over it and does not seem to be able to stop it."

Coull was given an 18-month community order, fined £120, and must complete 40 rehabilitation activity days. He was also made subject to a two-year restraining order and ordered to pay £200 in costs and an £85 victim surcharge.