Edgar Bonnici Cachia, 64, of Birkirkara has been fined €3,000 after being found guilty of harassing his former girlfriend and relapsing.

He had also been charged with extortion, using threatening behaviour, unlawful use of telecommunications equipment but was acquitted on these charges.

A court heard how Mr Bonnici Cachia met the woman in 2010 via a social media website. Two months later, the woman found out that Mr Bonnici Cachia had been found guilty of defrauding an elderly woman and wanted to break off the relationship.

Mr Bonnici Cachia wanted to know why the woman left him and started sending calling and sending SMSs and emails to her, despite being told by her that she wanted nothing more to do with him.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke heard how the woman had changed her phone number, which was not listed in the directory, but the accused had still managed to obtain it.

He used to tell her that he had spoken to an important Monsignor, and would stop her annulment proceedings. In another message he allegedly said: “I have money and with money you can lay a road in the sea.” He also threatened to write to the Vatican to “show her his power” and that he would take steps against her if she did not call him to settle things quietly. Calls were also made to relatives of the woman. The court heard how the harassment only stopped when, some months later, he started serving a prison sentence.

The court also heard how Mr Bonnici Cachia tried to speak to the woman’s psychologist, a priest whom she knew and two members of the Ecclesiastic Tribunal.

The woman said the accused had never threatened to use violence against her. He had threatened, however, to sabotage her annulment proceedings. Mr Bonnici Cachia had admitted to harassing the woman and threatening to present a card she had sent him to Ecclesiastic Tribunal.

He was fined €3,000 and ordered not to approach the woman for three years.

Inspector Fabian Fleri prosecuted.