Christopher Constantine, formerly of Lymington, sentenced at Southampton Magistrates’ Court for stalking

A JILTED partner has appeared in court after bombarding his ex with 40 emails a day and leaving gifts on her doorstep.

Christopher Constantine (61), formerly of Gosport Street in Lymington and now residing in Kent, admitted stalking the woman over two months.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard the pair had been in a relationship for around three years, but split in December 2023.

He began contacting her “constantly”, but when she blocked his number he called her relatives.

He also emailed her around 40 times a day, the court heard, pleading for her to see him.

On one occasion in January, Constantine approached the woman as she was parking her car at Lymington’s community centre and asked her to go for a coffee.

Days later he left chocolates, flowers and a card on her doorstep. He followed this up again with more cards posted through her letterbox, which left her “angry and anxious”.

The victim contacted Constantine to explain she did not want to hear from him but he later called her and said: “I’ve taken an overdose – goodbye.”

The emergency services were called and he was taken to hospital, the court heard.

A victim impact statement read to the court said Constantine’s actions had “a huge impact on my day-to-day life”.

She was “constantly worried” and added: “His behaviour is scaring me. I have never before experienced something like this.”

Defending, Janet Brownlow told the court Constantine was of previous good character and was suffering from poor physical and mental health which needed to be addressed.

The former chef was currently unemployed after moving to live with his mother, she added.

Constantine, who admitted stalking, was handed a five-year restraining order.

He was also given a 12-month community order, including rehabilitation of up to 30 days.

District judge Anthony Callaway told him: “I don’t know if you realise that you caused this lady a lot of distress over a considerable time.

“I hope today has put a line under an unpleasant set of events.”