by Danny Boyle

dboyle@thekmgroup.co.uk

A man who bombarded his ex with Facebook messages when she dumped him has been handed a restraining order.

Glen Copping, of Windmill Street, Strood, swamped Kelly Trotter on the social networking site before smashing her car with a cricket bat.

The 24-year-old admitted harassment, telling police the divorced mum-of-three taunted him by posting pictures of herself on nights out with other men.

He sent Miss Trotter 15 messages on Facebook in 11 days when their two-year relationship ended after a row.

Medway Magistrates' Court heard Copping felt he lost his children "in all but blood" when she moved out of their home without warning in July.

Debbie Jones, prosecuting, said Miss Trotter changed her mobile number and blocked Copping from contacting her on Facebook.

But he logged onto his mum's and brother's accounts to send her messages, she said.

Then when she cancelled a meeting the pair had arranged, Copping went to Miss Trotter's workplace in Harold Avenue, Gillingham, to confront her - armed with a cricket bat.

Miss Jones: "He was wielding a cricket bat by her car and then smashed the rear windscreen."

Luke Meyer, defending, said his client had a change of heart when he arrived, but damaged Miss Trotter's car when she "wound him up".

He said: "This is a very sad story. Miss Trotter has children from a previous relationship and Mr Copping feels like he is their father in all but blood.

"They had an argument one day and she never came back. When the relationship broke down it caused a great deal of pain.

"He's lost his partner and what he considers to be his children.

"Mr Copping is not a man without problems in his life. He suffers from depression, but he does regret what he did."

He was handed an 18-month restraining order against Miss Trotter as well as an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs.

Magistrate David Graeme said: "If you break this order it is likely you will be brought back to this court and sent to prison."