A MAN has been sentenced under a new stalking law.

Ben Robbins a 24-year-old of Bygrave Road, Baldock is the first person in a Bedfordshire court to plead guilty under the new legislation which came into effect in November 2012.

He pleaded guilty to stalking his ex-girlfriend, a 24-year-old woman from High Street, Arlesey between January and March 2013.

Robbins was sentenced on March 28 to a two year community order and two year supervision order to run concurrently. He was also ordered by Luton Magistrates to pay £80 costs, a £60 victim surcharge and complete 80 hours unpaid work.

Speaking after the case, investigation officer Mark Paul said: “We have used new legislation to deal with a man who persistently bothered, annoyed and caused distress to a young woman who had made it clear she was not interested in continuing a relationship with this man.

“While no threat of violence was ever made and he admitted the offence in full, this type of behaviour is at best unnerving for the victim and at worst perceived as sinister and causes fear.”