A SALES assistant left six men and women living in fear as he sought revenge against a woman who “spurned his advances”.

Ashley Aaron Wilson, 31, ordered dozens of taxis and takeaways under a false name and left damaging business reviews online in retaliation for being romantically rejected by a platonic friend.

The woman, her ex-partner, her current partner and his family were all targeted by Wilson, of Locomotive Street, Darlington, as he used his computer over a two-month period to cause upset.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard that the woman ended up moving from Darlington to North Yorkshire in a bid to stop Wilson from harassing her or anyone with any connections to her.

Alan Davison, prosecuting, said: “In May 2016, she reported to police that she had had multiple taxis and takeaways arriving at her home that she had nothing to do with and police contacted Just Eat and Hungry House apps and local taxi firms.

“Twenty-two orders for taxis and takeaways were placed in a six-week period to her home address, with various takeaway outlets being used, not just one.”

He added: “She moved miles away from her initial address to North Yorkshire to escape the anguish.

“Mr Wilson wanted to seek revenge on [the woman] for spurning his advances and wanted to get to those connected to her.”

Wilson – who was sacked from his job in IT following a police investigation – also used online car buying firms to put five vehicles up for sale belonging to the woman’s partner and his father.

The court heard on Tuesday that one man targeted by Wilson was forced to give up his job as a taxi driver in Darlington following “verbal and physical abuse” and had two mobiles phones seized by police for nine months as enquiries were carried out.

A victim impact statement from the woman’s partner said: “She would ring me every few days in tears as something else had happened.

“I lived miles away from her and it was really tough.

"Things got really bad so I facilitated for her to move in with me in North Yorkshire.

“I felt worried for my dad and also guilty as a result of my link to her.

"My dad is in his 60s and I feared the worst that it may lead to a heart attack.

“Fake Instagram and Facebook accounts were set up in my name and multiple suggestive and sexual messages were sent to her friends.

"Luckily, she believed me but there were threats from their partners telling me to back off.”

Wilson pleaded guilty to communicating false information between May and June 2016.

The court heard he had no previous convictions and was remorseful.

Stephen Andrews, mitigating, said: “He tells me at around about that time, he lost both of his grandparents in very quick succession and their deaths impacted on him significantly.

“He describes that his head was all over the place and was struggling to come to terms with the loss of his grandparents and he was diagnosed with pancreatitis.”

Wilson was ordered to pay £100 compensation to each of the six complainants and must complete 160 hours unpaid work.

He was also given a restraining order to protect the woman.