A WOMAN who stalked her ex-boyfriend and accused him of making her pregnant has been barred from contacting him.

Zoe Cook, 23, had a six to eight-month relationship with a 43-year-old man which he thought ended last March, magistrates were told.

Blair Martin, prosecuting said he felt Cook, of Bessemer Street, Ferryhill, was possessive and controlling and that she continued sending him text messages.

Eventually, he felt bullied into taking her back and they met her several times, the last being between Christmas and New Year.

Cook told him she was several months pregnant and he was the father - something he denied.

On January 3 at 2pm, he caught a bus to Durham, where he found Cook waiting for him, Mr Martin said.

She then followed him to a pub where he was meeting a friend.

He then went to a police station followed by Cook who shouted at him in front of officers.

Later that day Cook turned up at another pub where he was and was again waiting for him at the bus station.

Mr Martin said that at 10pm she turned up at his home and he called the police.

On January 4 and January 6 Cook turned up and began banging on his door and again on January 12 and January 14.

She pleaded guilty to a charge of stalking involving serious alarm or distress.

Andrew Clinton, mitigating, said Cook, who is in custody, was 22-weeks pregnant.

He said it was a difficult issue and that Cook had mental health issues.

Newton Aycliffe magistrates sentenced her to 12-week in jail suspended for a year together with a 12-month community order.

She must also pay an £80 victim surcharge and is subject to a restraining order until further notice.