A FORMER Weymouth rugby player has appeared in court charged with harassment.

Joseph Gibson, aged 38 and of Minton Place, Weymouth, was at Weymouth Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, July 19 accused of harassment without violence.

It is alleged that between November 20, 2022 and January 3, 2023, Gibson 'pursued a course of conduct' which amounted to the harassment of a woman.

The charge states that this involved 'persistently sending messages, emails and voicemails' and that Gibson 'knew or ought to have known' amounted to the harassment of the woman.

Gibson, a former vice-captain for Weymouth Rugby Club, did not enter a plea at Weymouth Magistrates' Court and was remanded on conditional bail.

His bail conditions order Gibson not to have any contact with the woman 'in any manner whatsoever'.

Gibson's next hearing will be at Poole Magistrates' Court on Monday, August 7 at 2pm.