A MAN who has admitted harassing a barmaid and her new partner will be sentenced next month.

Ryan Joseph Moralee previously pleaded guilty to two counts under the Protection from Harassment Act, relating to an 18-month course of conduct in which he sent mainly unpleasant messages to both the bar worker and a man with whom she developed a relationship.

But when the 37-year-old defendant appeared for sentence at Durham Crown Court he was unrepresented after an administrative mix-up over the hearing.

Judge Ray Singh told Moralee it was a case where the court would benefit from a background report by the Probation Service.

He, therefore, adjourned to allow preparation of the report and bailed Moralee, of Park Drive, Langley Park, to return for sentence on September 24.

But he warned him all options were open to the court, including the passing of a prison sentence.