A spurned lover sprayed his ex’s dressing gown in shampoo in a bizarre act of revenge.

John Isgar also damaged garden furniture after going to the house of his former girlfriend when she wasn’t at home.

The 61-year-old also left an angry note claiming he ‘felt like a mug’ after being dumped, the court heard.

At Macclesfield magistrates’ court, Isgar, of Ivy Road, Macclesfield, admitted harassment and criminal damage.

Debbie Byrne, prosecuting, said: “The victim had been in a relationship with the defendant for two years. Their relationship ended in February and he left the property on Moss Lane.

“On August 20, the victim’s son returned home and found the back door unlocked. Things were out of place. There was a TV upstairs and clothes in the bath covered in soap. There was also a note. When the victim returned she found her son was changing the locks and installing CCTV. She found her dressing gown was covered in shampoo. A heron ornament and plant pots had been thrown into the garden pond. The gate and table were also broken.

“Since the end of the relationship the defendant has pursued the victim with calls and texts.”

The court heard that when police interviewed Isgar he told them he had gone to the house to get his belongings back.

Mrs Byrne said: “He said his friend had acted as a go between him and his ex, but he had became suspicious of their relationship.

“He went to the house, left a note, but noticed the back door was open and pushed at the door, calling out to see if anyone was home. He saw his TV cabinet which he had been told wasn’t there. He saw red, entered the house and caused the damage.

The court heard that the incident had caused a ‘massive impact on the victim’.

In a statement to the court she said: “I am frightened to death of him contacting me. He entered my property and invaded my privacy.”

Peter Casson, defending, said Isgar had now put it behind him.

He said: “It was going swimmingly well but he lost his job and then his home, at which time she ended the relationship. He felt used, having spent a lot of money doing her house up. He felt like a mug, which is the message he left in the hallway.”

Isgar was given 120 hours unpaid work and a restraining order for two years.