A MAN who sent threatening and offensive text messages to a former partner has been given a restraining order.

Philip Andrews admitted harassment and assaulting the woman after she told him she did not want anything more to do with him.

Baljinder Kaur, prosecuting, said the woman had moved after Andrews, aged 49, kept coming to her home and refusing to accept the relationship was over.

He had also texted and called her and she had changed all but one of her phone numbers to avoid him.

One text, sent on December 29, read: "Hope you are missing me before I end your life. I'm exploded and I'm ready to take you out.

"Before I will give you everything back bit by bit."

He also sent messages asking if she would save him if he took a cocktail of pills and alcohol.

In February the woman reluctantly agreed to give him a lift to see a flat but during the trip he grabbed her and put his hand across her mouth.

Mrs Kaur said: "This was stopping her from breathing and she felt like she was going to pass out."

She added: "She received bruises, a split lip and scratches to her neck and attended A and E."

The victim also believed Andrews, of Goldsmith Road, Brickfields, was following her.

Nick Roberts, defending, said Andrews had had difficulty accepting the relationship was over but had since been co-operative with police.

Mr Roberts said: "He feels a little sorry for himself but he realises the relationship is over and she is not going to come back."

He also said Andrews had given up his job because of the case.

Magistrates sentenced him to a community order with supervision for 24 months and imposed a restraining order for two years preventing Andrews from contacting the victim.

He was also told to attended a domestic violence programme, ordered to pay £150 compensation and £60 costs.