THE HAGUE, Wednesday - A 50 year old man who could not stomach the fact that his son was left in the lurch by his partner has been sentenced to 180 hours of community service by a district court in Assen. He not only sent the woman threatening letters, but also stole her grandfather's tombstone.

The man besieged his son's ex after the relationship was ended. He sent her funeral cards for her own funeral. The woman's new lover was also threatened in letters. Eventually, the man stole the gravestone of the woman's grandfater from a graveyard in Emmen. The stone was found in the suspect's shed.

The man was convicted of stalking, threats and desecration of a grave. As well as the community service, the judge gave him a two-month suspended jail sentence. He also has to be monitored by social workers and follow their advice for two years. Finally, he has to pay the woman's new boyfriend damages of 100 euros.