A "sad and lonely" pensioner broke a warning not to harass his ex-partner because he wanted help furnishing his new flat.

George Bryett pleaded guilty to harassing a woman in Falmouth between August 27 and November 6.

The 72-year-old also admitted that in doing so he breached an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years on October 19, for fraud by making false statements and failing to disclose information.

Prosecutor Anita Kennett said the couple had previously been in a relationship before splitting up, and on August 21 police had spoken to Bryett advising him not to contact her unless through a solicitor and warning him not to harass her.

He continued to send emails and make phone calls and a neighbour had seen Bryett at his ex partner's home address.

Things came to a head when she was having coffee with friends in Falmouth and Bryett had driven past, stopped his car and gone into the shop.

"It's low level harassment, but it's harassing her nonetheless," said Mrs Kennett. "She has made a statement to say she's had to go to the doctor. She's anxious, she's not been able to sleep. She wants the behaviour to stop."

Bryett's solicitor, Mr Palmer, said the ending of the relationship had been "quite traumatic" to his client. "The locks were changed and his belongings were packed into 14 plastic bin bags and put in the boot of a car," he said.

"That was a long-standing relationship and it had a psychological impact on this defendant.

"It's fair to say his life has fallen apart - the end of his relationship, the loss of his house and his good character."

Mr Palmer said all Bryett had wanted to do was get help from his ex-partner for his new flat, telling her: "I need new furniture. It needs your touch on my premises."

Magistrates gave Bryett bail to appear before Truro Crown Court for sentencing on December 20, due to the breach of a suspended sentence, under the conditions that he not contact his ex-partner or go to Polmennor Road, Falmouth.