A BOLTON man convicted of stalking a former model has had his conviction overturned on appeal after she failed to turn up to give evidence.

Halliwell man David Walsh, 37, was found guilty last year of intimidating former lover Jacqueline Beardmore by bombarding her with letters and gifts.

He was said to have sent the letters, two Christmas cards, £25 in vouchers, a poem and a poinsettia plant to Miss Beardmore's town centre flat.

But despite being cleared at Bolton Crown Court, he says his overriding emotion is dismay rather than relief.

Mr Walsh said: "I'm not bothered for myself. But when your family see you called a stalker it's them it affects.

"I wanted to fight these allegations in court to prove they were untrue. Some people think there is no smoke without fire. This has left it hanging in the air."

Mr Walsh was convicted at magistrates' court last September when he was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered not to make any contact with Miss Beardmore for two years. He was also ordered to pay £114 costs.