A troubled former rugby league star who harassed his ex-wife has had his suspended jail term overturned by senior judges on appeal.

Stephen Holgate, who played for Wigan and England, admitted numerous breaches of a restraining order at Carlisle Crown Court in September last year.

The former front row man, who also played for Workington, Halifax and Hull, was handed a 24-month suspended sentence.

Most of the breaches related to his ex-wife, Julie Holgate, although another woman was also the victim of his unwanted attentions.

Mrs Justice Andrews said Holgate, 45, of Queen's Crescent, Frizington, had a recent "history of mental health issues".

He took to drink and drugs after losing his job and was later diagnosed with a bipolar disorder.

Holgate had been barred by a court order in October 2014 from approaching his ex-wife and the other woman.

That followed "insulting, threatening and foul-mouthed" posts on Facebook.

On December 15 2015, he turned up drunk on his ex's doorstep, and then phoned her out of the blue on Christmas Day.

"He told her that if she would not be his wife again it would be judgment day," the judge told London's Appeal Court.

Later on he sent her "rambling and incoherent texts" from hospital.

Mrs Justice Andrews, sitting with Lord Justice Treacy and Judge Eleri Rees QC, noted the gravity of the offences.

Although neither woman had been left traumatised by Holgate's actions, they had feared they might escalate.

But the court heard there are signs that Holgate is turning a corner in tackling his mental health issues.

"In the circumstances we consider that this sentence was manifestly excessive," the judge concluded.

The court substituted a 24-month community order for the suspended sentence.

Under that order, Holgate will be subject to a curfew and must attend a building better relationships programme.