A MAN was fined £50 after he admitted stalking and harassing a woman in Kidderminster.

Benjamin Lewis, of Larkhill, appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on Monday (July 22) and pleaded guilty to pursuing a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment of Jodie Alexander.

The court heard that between July 9 and July 17, the 29-year-old sent numerous messages and made numerous phone calls to Ms Alexander.

A community order was made, requiring Lewis to undergo rehabilitation activity.

He was also fined £50, plus a victim surcharge of £90.

On Tuesday (July 23) at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court, a restraining order was made against a Kidderminster man who admitted beating up a woman.

Joseph Smith, of Victoria Place, pleaded guilty to assaulting Susan Hodgkins by beating her in Kidderminster on June 13 this year.

A community order was made, requiring the 48-year-old to undergo rehabilitation activity.

Magistrates also made a restraining order, prohibiting Smith from contacting the victim.

He was fined £80 and must pay compensation of £50 plus an £85 victim surcharge and £75 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

In a separate case, a Kidderminster man was given a suspended jail sentence for stealing fragrances from Debenhams.

Joseph Gaffney, aged 52, of Churchfields, pleaded guilty to stealing fragrances worth £35 from Debenhams in Worcester on July 8.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing a flask worth £3.95 from Trespass in Kidderminster on June 6.

Gaffney admitted breaching the terms of a suspended sentence made on April 23 for five counts of theft from shops.

The defendant was given a two-week suspended sentence for each theft, which will run consecutive to the sentence imposed in April. During this time, Gaffney will be under curfew by electronic monitoring.

He must also pay an £85 victim surcharge and £50 in court costs.