A Bolton man twice breached a court order not to contact or post on social media about his former partner causing her to have a “breakdown in her mental health.”

Ashley McFadden was told to stay away from the woman in March last year.

Bolton Magistrates Court heard he broke this twice.

In May last year the woman received a message from him staying he was “just popping round.”

She replied: “Goodbye Ash.”

Later on she received a message from her sister, who she lived with, staying that he was here.

In August and September last year McFadden uploaded stories to Whatsapp, relating to the his former partner.

It later emerged she was able to see them.

McFadden, 36 and from Aldercroft Avenue, Breightmet, Bolton, appeared in court to be sentenced after admitting two breaches of a non-molestation order.

Henry Prescott, read two victim impact statements from the woman.

The first said: “This has left me feeling unsafe.

“I am scared to be in this house in case he comes back and I am scared to leave the house in case I see him.

“He has breached the non-molestation order and I do not know what else I can do.”

The second one said: “I have been in hospital due to the stress.

“I have had a breakdown in my mental health.”

Peter Cunliffe, defending, said the posts on social media were how he vents.”

He also said the proceedings had had an “impact on his mental health” and he had a “lengthy history” with the woman.

Chair of the bench Karen Martin imposed a community order to run for a period of 12 months.

She ordered him to do 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and placed him on a curfew meaning he must remain at home between 7pm and 7am for 12 weeks.

She imposed a restraining order permitting him from contacting the woman for a year and ordered him to pay costs of £249.