A POLICE officer's five-day campaign of intimidation against a woman and her family cost him his career, a court heard yesterday.

Jeremy Ashcroft, who was based at Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and lives in Lanchester, had "serious domestic violence issues" said a district judge who sentenced him to a two-year community rehabilitation order and 100 hours of community service.

Judge Stephen Earl, sitting at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday, heard that 38-year-old Ashcroft had resigned from the force from the end of last month. He had originally denied a charge of harassment but was convicted following a four-day trial at Consett Magistrates' Court last month.

He was ordered not to contact the family, who are from Bishop Auckland and who cannot be named, to protect the identity of two children, or to visit the area where they live.

He must also pay £1,200 prosecution costs.

From February 11 to 15 he had verbally abused the woman, trespassed in her house, threatened her with violence, assaulted her and made threats about her mother.

He had telephoned her parents and friends and walked around her house for 25 minutes causing her alarm and distress.

Describing Ashcroft, of Mount Park Drive, Lanchester, as "potentially mentally volatile" the judge said he had considered sending him to prison but felt he needed help rather than punishment.

He told him: "You crossed the threshold of domestic violence."