A STALKER made “unpleasant” social media posts about his ex-partner after the breakdown of their relationship.

Michael James Bull would post about his victim on Facebook and contact her friends and family, a court heard.

The woman asked him to stop and messaged him to leave her alone, but he continued.

A CPS solicitor told the court how Bull, 38, and his victim had met through work eight or nine years ago, before then forming a relationship.

But when Bull, of Dean Road, Fair Oak, embarked on a series of counselling courses, the woman realised a change in his behaviour and felt the relationship could go no further.

The two maintained telephone contact and would meet up from time to time after things had ended.

However, Bull “refused to accept” things when she formed a different relationship.

The court heard how Bull would message her and make posts about her on Facebook.

The woman found his behaviour and contact harassing, with the posts “unpleasant”.

Appearing before Southampton Magistrates’ Court, he was charged with stalking without fear/alarm/distress.

Defending, Jane Joslin, said that Bull had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had made full admissions to his conduct between June last year and January this year.

She said his behaviour was all due to mental health and self-medicating with alcohol.

Ms Joslin added there had been on and off contact between Bull and his victim “sometimes instigated by her”.

Bull had “simply wanted to get some answers” concerning the breakdown of their relationship.

And “when sober” he “would not have sent” the messages.

District Judge Peter Greenfield said the offence was very serious and had crossed the custody threshold.

He jailed him for eight weeks, suspended for 18-months.

Bull must complete 23 rehabilitation days and six months of alcohol treatment to include 60 days of abstinence.

He was ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £125 victim surcharge.

Bull has been given a four-year restraining order.

As reported, data shows Hampshire police applied for just six Stalking Protection Orders since last January.