A CARER pretended to be dead so he could stalk his ex-girlfriend.

Avun Andre set up a fake Facebook account to tell the woman that he had died, and even paid a website to find out her new address in Peacehaven.

The 32-year-old had been in a relationship with her for ten months, but it became too intense when he wanted to rush to get married and have children.

She then found evidence on his phone that he had cheated on her, and chose to end the relationship.

Brighton Magistrates’ Court was told that he had driven to Peacehaven to find her address, but had “chickened out” of going to her home.

He was put under a restraining order for two years not to contact the woman, go to her home, or go to her place of work.

Jeremy King, prosecuting, said the relationship ended in August last year.

He said: “The couple met on a dating website and at first it was fine, but she felt Mr Andre was in a rush about moving the relationship on and wanted to do everything.

“He wanted to get married and have children when she was not ready for that. Then she found he had cheated on her.”

Mr King said Avun had paid £60 to a website to find her new address, and pretended to be a woman called Joanne on Facebook to befriend his ex and tell her he had died.

Ramon Pape, defending, said Andre has no previous convictions and works in a care home in Eastbourne.

She had seen messages on his phone alluding to him being unfaithful, and he wanted to fully apologise to her and resume the relationship.

Mr Pape said: “There were five or six times he contemplated going to see her, but chickened out. He waited in his car and was seen in the area.”

Andre, of Rotunda Road, Eastbourne, admitted stalking the woman without causing fear, alarm, and distress.

Magistrate John Paxman ordered him to do 150 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation sessions, and pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.