A FORMER heroin addict has been forbidden by a court from contacting his ex-girlfriend after admitting playing "an emotional game" with her.

Unemployed Paul Harriss left a series of threatening messages on Denise Wilson's answering machine, York Crown Court heard.

On one occasion, adding insulting remarks, he warned: "I am going to come and get you."

Harriss, 33, now of no fixed address, faces up to five years' imprisonment if he breaches the one-year restraining order imposed yesterday by Judge Jonathan Crabtree.

Peter Johnson, prosecuting, told the court Harriss and Miss Wilson had a two-year relationship which ended in 1994.

He moved out of their flat at Thief Lane, York, after becoming a heroin addict, but continued to visit.

A number of incidents occurred last summer which resulted in Harriss being arrested and charged with harassment.

On August 6, he visited Miss Wilson and was abusive, Mr Johnson said.

"He seized a knife from the kitchen. There was a struggle which resulted in the defendant saying, 'Kill me, kill me.'

"There was no attempt by the defendant to threaten the complainant but she was extremely fearful for her safety."

Harriss made a series of threatening phone calls, Mr Johnson said, and Miss Wilson found a note which ended: "As for the rehab forget it. There is more fun to be had round here."

Harriss was arrested on September 29. He admitted taking drugs and said he thought his personality had changed.

"He admitted he was trying to play some emotional game with her," Mr Johnson said.

Anne Munday, mitigating, said Harriss's account differed from Miss Wilson's.

On August 2 last year Miss Wilson invited him to visit but he found her in the company of another man, Miss Munday said.

"It would appear the complainant was employing shock tactics to get the defendant off heroin. He wanted to get back and hurt the complainant. He is not proud of that," she said.

He did not want to continue the relationship and was free from drugs.

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