AN ABUSIVE man who harassed a woman with unwanted messages has been put under a restraining order.

John Lewis, 50, was found guilty of sending abusive texts and voice messages in breach of a non-molestation order made by Brighton Family Court.

He was found guilty of breaching the order before magistrates, who also heard he had harassed the woman and approached her at the end of May and in early June.

Lewis, of Dyke Road, Brighton, was given an 18-week suspended sentence.

He was ordered to attend 30 sessions of the Building Better Relationships Programme.

Magistrate Nigel Peacock also ordered him to pay a £122 surcharge and £620 costs, and put Lewis under a restraining order until 2023.