A STRONGMAN actor has been hit with a restraining order preventing him from contacting an ex-partner after he admitted harassing her.

Sebastian Abbatiello, who once competed in Britain's Strongest Man and appeared in films Gladiator and Revolver, also admitted witness intimidation and was found guilty of assault on his ex-partner Rebecca McElroy.

He was sentenced to a community order with supervision for 24 months, must complete a domestic violence programme and do 100 hours unpaid work.

He must also pay £250 compensation and prosecution costs of £1,225 but the Crown Prosecution Service must pay his solicitors £1,600 in wasted trial costs after failing to produce Abbatiello from prison to face trial after an administrative mix-up.

Worcester Magistrates Court heard police were called to Abbatiello's home at Worcester Road, Hanley Swan, near Malvern, where a distressed Miss McElroy was on the driveway with a split lip.

She told officers Abbatiello, aged 48, had pushed her and slapped her face and head after accusing her of having an affair. Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said the couple had been together for seven years, and police had been called at least 10 times previously.

After she ended the relationship, Abbatiello sent unwanted text messages and shouted abuse through her letterbox.

He also followed Miss McElroy and her mother in his car, stood in front of their car and made a throat-slitting gesture. He later phoned her and told her not to turn up at court but her friend recorded the conversation on her phone.

However, Iain Suggewt, defending, said it was Abbatiello who ended the relationship and he had previously called police because of Miss McElroy's behaviour.

The court also heard Abbatiello had lifted a car to release a trapped man, and received a commendation from West Mercia police in 2002 for going to the aid of an injured officer during an incident in Lowesmoor.

As part of the restraining order, Abbatiello must stay away from Miss McElroy, her mum and the Brickfields area.