A MUSICIAN harassed his ex-girlfriend by repeatedly emailing and texting her and visiting her home despite being told to stay away.

John Alexander, 59, broke up with his partner and afterwards she wanted all contact to end.

But Alexander bombarded Yoanna Minigay with a series of text messages and emails, even knocking on her bedroom window at her home.

Alexander has now been found guilty of harassment without violence at Brighton Magistrates Court.

The court heard Alexander had been in an on-off relationship with Miss Minigay since early 2014, but he ended the relationship in October last year.

Miss Minigay then sent him text messages in October and November explicitly telling him she did not want to be contacted and would call the police if he did.

But months later in May Alexander sent her a series of emails and texts asking her to go on holiday.

The following month he then attended her home in Adelaide Crescent, Hove, to knock on her bedroom window in a bid to speak to her, but was rebuffed.

Prosecuting, Ayesha Robertson said: “In a police interview on June 9 he admitted to sending the emails in May and knocking on her bedroom window in June 21.

“He said it was not his intention to harass her and wanted to invite her on a tour of Europe, which he had sent her an email about on May 22.”

But Alexander, defending himself, insisted he had no intention to harass his ex-partner.

He said: “I was rehearsing in Shoreham. I stupidly wondered if she was around and went to her flat and saw her through the window.”

Alexander had a previous conviction from 2014 for two battery offences, against his ex-partner, which he received an eight week prison sentence - suspended for 18 months.

Chairman of magistrates Nigel Peacock found Alexander, of Station Mews, Cookbridge, guilty of harassment.

He said: “Following the breakdown of your relationship, she said she wanted no further contact.

“She accepted the messages were non threatening but the feelings triggered by them were. Consequently we find you guilty.”

Alexander will now serve a 12 month community order including 150 hours’ unpaid work, 17 sessions of rehabilitation activity, £700 in costs and £85 victim surcharge.

He must also abide a by a restraining order banning him from contacting Miss Minoigay or attending her home in Adelaide Crescent.

In a victim impact statement Miss Minigay said she felt alarmed and intimidated by the harassment, which also affected her job.