A FARMER from Treuddyn was handed a suspended sentence after he admitted stalking his ex-partner and possessing extreme pornography involving animals.

Damion Sweeney, aged 32 and of Maes Glyndwr in the village, appeared before magistrates in Mold.

At a previous hearing he had admitted having stalked his ex-partner Pascale Tanton in various locations in Flintshire between September 30 last year and February 1 this year, as well as harassing Ms Tanton’s partner between November 30 last year and February 1 this year.

He also admitted having been in possession of extreme pornographic images on February 1.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that with regards to the stalking and harassment offences Sweeney, a farmer, separated from his partner in November 2017 and that since that time he had tried to “win her back by any means possible”.

He displayed jealousy towards Ms Tanton’s new partner, Christopher Guy, and began contacting them both - telling them to break up.

Mr Espie said that in January the harassment escalated and Sweeney began to appear in places Ms Tanton went to routinely such as her place of work, as well as outside a pub in Mold when she was out with friends.

The court heard how he started showing up at stables where she keeps her horse and would not leave.

In one instance he also drove closely behind her partner and attempted to cut him off on roundabouts, Mr Espie said.

When the behaviour was reported to police, officers downloaded the contents of Sweeney’s phone and found no calls from Ms Tanton to Sweeney since 2018.

They did however find a number of videos on the phone, which Mr Espie said were categorized as “extreme pornography” involving animals.

These videos, the court heard, included a man having sex with a snake and women performing sex acts with horses.

In a statement read to the court, Ms Tanton said Sweeney’s behaviour had led to her looking over her shoulder everywhere she went, out of fear that he would appear.

Gary Harvey, defending, told the court his client had described the videos discovered as having an “element of dark humor” shared between friends.

Mr Harvey said Sweeney is a family man and that his “remorse is evident”.

He continued: “This man has good work ethics. He has difficulties with relationships, particularly when they end.”

Hilary Wiseman, chair of the magistrates, handed Sweeney a 12 week custodial sentence but suspended it for two years.

She ordered him to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 35 ‘building better relationships’ sessions.

Sweeney was also made the subject of a restraining order prohibiting him from approaching or contacting Ms Tanton and her partner by any means.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £115.