A RHYDOWEN man who pleaded guilty to stalking his girlfriend through “repeatedly following and watching her at her place of work” has been given a conditional discharge by magistrates after they heard he is seeking help for trust issues.

Aberystwyth magistrates heard on Wednesday that John Marc Mayes-Davies of Delfan, 1 Maesrodyn became “oppressive” and “suffocating” towards his girlfriend Alice James after fearing she had had an affair.

Friends of Miss James complained to police after becoming concerned over 29-year-old Mayes-Davies’ “constant texting and calling” to know where she was “at all times” and turning up outside her work in his car for long periods.

Work colleagues said Miss James, who had to take three weeks off work sick due to stress, was becoming “withdrawn”, had a “change in personality” and stopped socialising in the wake of the incidents which lasted from May to December last year.

Colleagues who complained to police, the court heard, told officers Miss James was “always on edge” and that she said when questioned that “[Mayes-Davies] is just checking up on me – he thinks I’m s****ing everyone.”

The court heard that Mayes-Davies kept “constant contact” with Miss James and wouldn’t allow her to go anywhere if he wasn’t there.

The court also heard that he stopped her from going horse riding, and called her “fat and ugly”.

Magistrates were told that he sent one text message during his stay outside her work saying: “I can see you. Come out before I ring your work or knock on the door.”

Defence solicitor Alison Mathias told the court that Miss James had not made any complaint, they were “previously very happy together”, and she “did not want to see Mayes-Davies arrested”.

The pair are still a couple, she said, and are “hoping to work out their differences”.

“He was being over-bearing and suffocating and he accepts that it amounts to harassment,” Ms Mathias told the court. “He fully accepts he can’t continue in this vein and has already sought help for his trust issues and anxiety.”

In his police interview, Mayes-Davies admitted his conduct was “totally unacceptable”.

“I realise it was oppressive, but it wasn’t my intention to cause any fear,” he said. “They are unreasonable actions, but I love her.”

Mayes-Davies was handed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £20.