Jilted boyfriend handed a restraining order after stalking his girlfriend by sending her a picture of him dressed as a penguin

A jilted boyfriend has been handed a restraining order after stalking his ex-girlfriend dressed as a penguin. 

Anthony Price harassed his former partner Abigail Williams by bombarding her with messages and sending her unwanted gifts which left her scared to stay in her own home.

After the breakdown of the five-month relationship Price also sent Ms Williams pictures of himself in a penguin suit and stood at a roundabout to attract her attention. 

Price pleaded guilty to harassment without violence in Wrexham county from July to November last year.

The 51-year-old from Wexham has also been given a three-year restraining order and banned from visiting Ms William's place of work.

Magistrates at Mold, North Wales, heard that Price bombarded his former partner with gifts and messages and sent her photos of himself dressed in a penguin suit, standing on a roundabout Ms Williams regularly drove around after finishing work.

Ms Williams said she 'believed he dressed up to try and save their relationship or make her laugh,' said prosecutor Rhian Jackson. 

Mr Jackson added that 'She didn't find this funny.'

The harassed girlfriend said she had previously received flowers at work from 'Penguin' and had changed her phone number to escape the harassment.

Price was even accused of sending the victim an unwanted bank transfer with the message: 'I miss you, kn**head.'

The prosecution said the couple had been in a relationship for five months until it ended in July last year. 

The victim had then contacted her mobile phone provider to change her number to stop contact but the situation worsened in August and Ms Williams contacted police.

Mrs Jackson said Price had sent her letters declaring his love, flowers and Moonpig cards. 

The victim had stopped going to the gym and stayed overnight at different addresses to avoid the persistent harassment of her former partner.

'There's persistent action over a prolonged period,' the prosecutor added.

Defence lawyer Lorraine McClure said Price was of previous good character and worked in the logistics department of a local firm.

 He had bipolar disorder and had ended up in hospital due to his mental health.

'He was also drinking at that time,' the solicitor added.

Court chairman Nigel Gilkes told Price: 'This is a really serious offence. We accept you were in a relationship which was volatile and when it broke up it was something you couldn't come to terms with.

'However, it doesn't justify your behaviour. You persistently contacted the victim after she requested on numerous occasions not to do so. She had to make serious changes to her life.'

He added: 'We are seriously concerned in your interview with probation you didn't seem to accept your offending behaviour and painted yourself as the victim.'

Price was also handed a 12-week jail term, suspended for 18 months and with a condition that Price must attend rehabilitation sessions.

Today a three-year restraining order was also made which bans Price from Ms Williams' workplace – a vets' practice. 

The defendant is subject to an alcohol abstinence monitoring tag for 60 days, and must pay £239 costs.

'We really hope you have learned your lesson from this,' Mr Gilkes said to him.