A plumber from Falmouth narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after being found guilty of harassing a woman in the town.

John Hopkinson, from Harbour Court in New Street, had pleaded not guilty to harassing Susan Toy between February 25 and November 15 last year, but was found guilty in a trial at Truro's magistrates' court last Wednesday.

Hopkinson was committed to prison for ten weeks, with the sentence then suspended for 18 months.

The court heard the reason for the sentence was because the offence was so serious.

During the trial it was heard that on February 26 last year 64-year-old Hopkinson had twice driven his van to the road in which Ms Toy lived. On April 27 he sent her a text message and on November 14 he walked past her place of work several times.

He also drove down her road “on a regular basis” and parked up outside her house.

At last week's hearing a restraining order was also made that prevents Hopkinson from contacting Susan Toy, Tracey Toy or Shane Toy by any method, and approaching with 100 metres any address that either three live or work in.

He is also banned for acting in any way that could cause any of the three harassment, alarm, distress or molestation, or from asking a third party to do any of the above.

Hopkinson was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80 as well as costs of £620 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.