A stalker sent his former partner with unwanted messages, drove past her house and even attached a tracking device to her car, a court has heard.

Mark Griffiths, 56, had begun his campaign of stalking by leaving flowers at the woman’s workplace in February this year after their relationship had ended.

But matters escalated as the months went by and Bolton Crown Court heard how his incessant messages and attempt to track her had seriously disturbed Griffiths’ victim.

Edwin Potts, prosecuting, said: “She described how the defendant left her feeling trapped, anxious and vulnerable.”

He added: “She did not know how long the tracker had been on her car and this made her feel trapped in her own home.”

The Bolton News: The case was heard at Bolton Crown CourtThe case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Potts told the court how Griffiths, of Croft Gate, Bolton, had repeatedly messaged his victim on Whatsapp, had called her and after she blocked his number had emailed her.

He was also caught on CCTV five times driving past her house in his distinctive blue BMW.

In November this year the woman noticed a scratch on her car and her workplaces security camera again noticed that same BMW driving nearby.

She then found a GPS tracking device under her car.

Griffiths was arrested on November 21 this year and on unlocking his phone, police officers found a mobile app which matched the tracking device.

He admitted to attaching the device earlier in the year but said it hadn’t functioned properly and in November he had tried and failed to remove it.

Griffiths pleaded guilty to stalking involving serious harm or distress before Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on November 23.

Robert Kearney, defending, argued that Griffiths was entitled to credit for his guilty plea and told the court that he did not believe an immediate prison sentence would be necessary in this case.

ALSO READ: Stalker left victim 'constantly in fear' after home visits and hundreds of calls

ALSO READ: Stalker ordered to do unpaid work

But the Honarary Recorder for Bolton Judge Martin Walsh reminded the court of the harm that Griffiths had caused.

He said: “This was persistent stalking of a defendant, causing her significant alarm and distress.”

Judge Walsh sentenced Griffiths to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for two years and ordered him to complete 25 days of rehabilitation activities.

He also hit Griffiths with a restraining order forbidding him from contacting his victim or coming with 200 meters of her for two years.