A MAN breached a court order by forwarding emails to his former wife about a business they shared - while he was banned from contacting her.

A non-molestation order was granted in April last year which prevents Ian Chambers, 55, from contacting the woman by any means.

He admitted two breaches of the order when he appeared before West Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Outlining the case, prosecutor Jacqui Partington said the victim had been in her friend’s car when she received an email from her ex-husband.

She couldn’t read the email because she was ‘so upset’ and ‘everything came back to her’. The email was in relation to a business that was jointly owned.

During police interview, Chambers said he was ‘just forwarding emails’.

The victim said she had hoped the non-molestation order would ‘allow her to move on with her life’ but feels she is in ‘constant fear’ and ‘worry’.

She referred to alleged abuse from Chambers throughout their relationship and receiving the emails ‘caused her to have flashbacks’ about previous incidents.

Ms Partington said Chambers had faced charges for this but not guilty decisions had been reached.

The victim said she felt ‘constantly worried’ that Chambers was going to carry out threats she claimed he had previously made.

She said she couldn’t sleep and her mind had ‘been in overdrive’ since receiving the emails. She no longer goes out alone because she is scared Chambers will turn up.

Chambers, who was not legally represented, said: “I sat in front of magistrates for controlling and coercive behaviour last year.

“I opted for crown court. A week before the case, I got a call that the prosecution couldn’t offer any evidence and the charges were dropped. The case wasn’t going any further.

“The company who have the rights of the trademark got in touch and said if we take the names down and social media, there won’t be a backlog of franchise money.

“I got the email. I thought everything was dropped. I forwarded the email.

“I have had three and a half years of stress, being accused of this, that and the other.”

The case was adjourned for sentence until April 15 to allow the probation service to carry out mandatory checks.

Chambers, of Springfield Grove, Whitehaven was granted unconditional bail.