A CARLISLE hairdresser who suffered months of harassment from her former partner said that his behaviour led to her losing "at least three jobs".

The woman made the comment as she outlined the impact of the distressing treatment she had endured from her former partner, 40-year-old Kazimerz Puchalak.

He was originally charged with stalking her.

Puchalak denied that allegation, but prosecutors accepted his guilty plea to the alternative allegation of harassment. It happened between May 7 last year and September 23.

Outlining the offence, prosecutor George Shelley told the city’s Rickergate court that it consisted of him sending her “numerous” unwanted text messages and emails and turning up uninvited at her home address and workplace.

The defendant had no previous convictions.

Mr Shelley then read aloud an impact statement from the victim, who told magistrates: “I am really scared of him; this whole ordeal has really frightened me.

“It’s caused me to lose at least three jobs and it’s damaged my hairdressing business [with him] approaching clients who now don’t want to work with me.

“I have had to go to the doctor, and he has prescribed me antidepressants, and I have had to increase the dosage. His behaviour has caused me so much distress that I have had to be signed off from work.

“I can’t work because of this at the moment.”

She spoke of suffering from chest pain and struggling to sleep at night. The woman added: “I never thought that being in a relationship with someone would cause so much distress.”

She said this had shocked her.

The defendant, of Borland Avenue, Botchery, Carlisle, told magistrates: “I have made a huge mistake… I can promise to this court that that it won’t happen again. My actions were not to hurt anyone.

“I was oblivious.”

Asked whether alcohol was involved, he said he worked as a driver for a sawmill and consuming alcohol would involve losing his job and as a consequence he does not drink.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, which includes 20 rehabilitation activity days and an 80-day alcohol abstinence order, which will be electronically monitored.

He must also pay the woman involved compensation of £250, as well as costs of £85 and a £114 victim surcharge. A restraining order bans him from having any contact with the woman.