The ending of a year-long relationship led to the sending of numerous threatening and abusive text messages by a 27-year-old Falmouth man to his former partner, Truro magistrates heard.

Paul Webb, of Carrick Road, Falmouth, threatened her, and another man with whom she was friendly, in one message saying he would smash up her friend’s car and his house, and saying he was a “dead” man.

Graham Calderwood, for the CPS, described his numerous messages as “continued bombarding” and said what he sent to his former partner had so upset her she had had to take time off from her job because her work was suffering.

Webb pleaded guilty to harassing Kelly Semmens by sending abusive and threatening text messages and unwanted phone calls, and to harassing Mathew Thomas by sending abusive and threatening Facebook and voice mail messages, attending his home address on a number of occasions and threatening him with violence and with damage to his car. Webb told the magistrates he was upset about the break-up of the relationship and had acted irrationally.

He was given 18 months probation, told to pay £150 compensation, and fined £50 with £145 costs and surcharge.