A SPURNED man stalked his ex-partner for a year, claiming he had cancer, and pretending he had over £70,000 in the bank, in desperate attempts to win her back, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how besotted Jamie Holgate, 25, bombarded his first love Simone MacQuarrie with texts and letters, and sent gifts and flowers, all of which were returned to him.

He messaged her constantly on New Year’s Eve, sent her a dress and a purse at work on Valentine’s Day, had a specially-made cola bottle with her name on delivered to her Blackburn home, and bought her a personalised luggage strap.

The hearing heard Holgate also posted her a fake letter, claiming they had a joint Yorkshire Bank account containing £71,000.

Holgate began his campaign after she ‘dumped him’ when he returned from working abroad.

However, his efforts failed and he was given a formal harassment warning before last Christmas, but continued and she later reported him to the police again.

Holgate, of Taylor Street, Barnoldswick, admitted harassment without violence, between last December 26 and August 9, this year. He was given a two-year conditional discharge, and a two-year restraining order, and must pay £85 costs, and a £15 victim surcharge.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said Holgate and Ms MacQuarrie had had a four-and-half year relationship.

She tried to end their relationship several times, and eventually finished it in August last year.

After the split, he contacted her and sent presents and flowers. She returned them all.

The defendant would sit outside the victim’s house, waiting for her to come home from work and told her he had cancer, which wasn’t true.

Holgate texted regularly, left letters on the victim’s friend’s car windscreen, and sent her a picture of himself on Valentine’s Day. In July, she received the cola bottle.

In August, he texted Ms MacQuarrie a Happy Birthday message, made references to holidays, and talked about a joint bank account, although they never had one.

A few days later she got the false bank letter.

Mr Robinson said when interviewed, Holgate referred to his actions as “alcohol- fuelled sadness.” He had no previous convictions.

David Leach, for Holgate, said: “As soon as he was arrested, things crystallised and he realised the error of his ways.

“This was the first ever really serious relationship he was involved in. He was deeply in love with her. He was not ready for the relationship to end and he just couldn’t deal with it.”