A man branded an alcoholic by his own lawyer has been jailed for six weeks after continuing to harass his former girlfriend.Ian Hartless (49) admitted harassing Susan Grimes after their relationship broke up, and breaching probation requirements of a suspended prison sentence for an earlier assault on her.

A MAN branded an alcoholic by his own lawyer has been jailed for six weeks after continuing to harass his former girlfriend.

Ian Hartless, 49, admitted harassing Susan Grimes after their relationship broke up, and breaching probation requirements of a suspended prison sentence for an earlier assault on her.

Hartless, who had to be helped into court by a friend, was currently living at a care of address at Reeves Cour,t North Walsham, said solicitor Kevin Batch - because his flat had been ransacked.

Cromer magistrates heard the pair broke up after six or seven years, and despite being given a warning Hartless continued to harass her with phone calls, visits and letters.

Rachel Balfour prosecuting, said the victim, who used to live close to Hartless's former New Street home in Cromer, felt alarmed and vulnerable.

He had an eight-week jail sentence, suspended for two years, imposed in January last year for assaulting her.

Harltess was an alcoholic, who had also suffered the death of his son from a brain tumour as well as his relationship break-up. His health had worsened, because of his drinking, and he had talked about suicide.

He asked magistrates to keep any prison sentence short as it was doubly punishing for a man in Hartless's condition. The court jailed Hartless for two six-week terms, running at the same time, for the new harassment and breaching the earlier sentence.