A Pewsey man who admitted harassment wants the conviction overturned saying he only pleaded guilty because his mother was worried about him being sent to jail.

But Swindon Crown Court heard that the Crown would contest the request, which has the victim fearing she will have to give evidence in court.

Paul Williamson, 30, admitted harassment when he appeared before magistrates in October last year.

But almost immediately after the hearing Williamson said he regretted the decision and is now trying to change it and have a trial.

Williamson, of Cherry Close, pleaded guilty to carrying out conduct which amounted to harassment between June 7 and September 10 last year.

Magistrates fined him £500 with £85 costs and imposed a restraining order banning him from contacting the victim for a year.

But Jason Taylor, for Williamson, told Swindon Crown Court that his client only admitted the charge when his mother heard there was a chance he could be jailed.

Mr Taylor said: "When he heard 'custody' this man had tunnel vision. His mother was distraught." 

The prospect of Williamson being jailed was brought up in front of his mother when he was getting advice from his lawyer.

Although Mr Taylor accepted Williamson had been fully advised by the solicitor, who is from the firm which still represents him, he said Williamson immediately regretted what he had done.

Kevin Farquarson, for the Crown, said they would be contesting the request to change plea which has the victim fearing she will have to give evidence.

"The Crown's case is this is utterly without merit," he said.

Judge Tim Mousley QC instructed Williamson's lawyers to submit a skeleton argument of their case within a week and adjourned the case for a hearing later in the year.