A STALKER who sent his works coach 113 messages in 12 hours has been fined.

Stewart Hendry, 32, met his victim when he was referred to her employer, training firm Swindon Seetec, by the job centre last year.

She became increasingly concerned by what she believed to be his obsessive behaviour, including sending her Facebook messages and texts.

He had denied stalking but, appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court, changed his pleas. Hendry, of Queens Road, Royal Wootton Bassett, has previously twice admitted breaching an interim stalking protection order obtained by the police in February.

Luke Jameson, defending, said his client suffered from autism and had significant mental health issues. He had been on remand in HMP Bullingdon for around three weeks.

Fining him £330 and ordering he pay £132 in costs and surcharge, chairman of the bench Peter Wells said: “It’s clear that Mr Hendry has significant issues and probably shouldn’t even be at court today.”

Hendry waited in the cells below court as he was sentenced. His court fines were deemed paid by time served on remand.

He must abide by a two-year restraining order.