A man harassed his ex-partner after failing to cope with the breakdown of their relationship.

Blackburn magistrates heard Brandon Taylor contacted his "ex" via Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram and repeatedly turned up at her home.

When he saw her in her car he spat towards her but the saliva landed on the driver’s side window.

Taylor, 29, of Sutton Crescent, Huncoat, admitted to stalking.

He was given an 18-month community order with a five-day rehab activity requirement and attendance on 26 sessions of the Better Choices Programme.

He was ordered to complete 150 hours unpaid work and pay £300 costs and a £114 victim surcharge. He was made subject to a restraining order for two years.

District Judge Alexandra Preston said following the breakdown of the relationship there were strong feelings on both sides.

She added: “You called her numerous times, contacted her on various social media platforms and used demeaning and abusive language towards her.

"You even spat on her car when she was sitting inside it.”

District Judge Preston said Taylor had ignored all requests to leave his "ex" alone.

“You need to take responsibility for your actions,” she added.

Zulekha Bhuta, prosecuting, said in a victim personal statement the aggrieved said it got to the stage where she just wanted him to leave her and her family alone.

“I felt frightened in my own home,” she said.

“I started shaking when the phone rang and I don’t want to live my life like this anymore.”

Duncan Nightingale, defending, said his client had no previous convictions.

“This is clearly a man who has not dealt with the breakdown in a good way,” said Mr Nightingale.

“His risk of re-offending is low.”