A yoga teacher who nursed her boyfriend after he suffered a stroke had to flee Britain when he started bombarding her with abusive letters . Alessia Avellino , 42 , said her relationship with 51-year-old Paul Bijl broke down after the stroke four years ago completely changed his character . But Bijl still often sent her letters and text messages calling her a ‘ c*** ’ and ‘ whore ’ , forcing Miss Avellino to flee her flat in St John ’ s Wood , north-west London , to her native Italy . Ex-boyfriend : Alessia Avellino ( left ) said her relationship with Paul Bijl ( right ) broke down after his stroke . She told the London Evening Standard : ‘ He looked the same after the stroke but had become someone else . I couldn ’ t handle it . It destroyed me . I cried myself to sleep every day. ’ Miss Avellino , who is also an artist and has exhibited paintings at the Royal Academy of Arts , said Bijl ‘ went bananas that I had left him ’ and would shout at her in front of other people . She withdrew a harassment case after he promised to change , but then called police when the abuse became ‘ relentless ’ . Bijl has since admitted harassment at Westminster Magistrates ’ Court . The Westminster resident was sentenced to six months of community service and handed an indefinite restraining order , but Miss Avellino stressed that he is ‘ no monster ’ and ‘ needs help ’ . Sentenced : Bijl admitted harassment at Westminster Magistrates ’ Court ( above ) and was given six months of community service and handed an indefinite restraining order . Speaking to Standard reporter Anna Dubuis , she added : ‘ When it happened it destroyed me . 'My self-esteem was in tatters . I loved him so much - that ’ s why it was so hard to get away from him . ‘ I was convinced he was the love of my life . I hoped he would change . When I finally saw he wasn ’ t going to , I said it was over. ’ Miss Avellino studied at the Chelsea College of Arts and has also exhibited paintings at the Rivington Gallery in east London .
Italy relationship with Paul Bijl broke down after his stroke . But he still often sent her letters and texts calling her ' c*** ' and 'whore ' She fled flat in St John ’ s Wood to her native Alessia Avellino 's after it 'destroyed ' her . Court gave Bijl restraining order and six months of community service .