A man who sent 153 text messages, some of them threatening, to his partner of five years, told the police he had acted like an “obsessive madman” over his jealousy and fears that she was having an affair.

At Truro Magistrates’ Court Robert Cary-Williams, 49, of Duke Street, Newlyn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Emma McClure at Newlyn on December 19, and harassing her by sending text messages the day following.

Anita Kennett, for the CPS, said the couple had been in an on-off relationship for five years. On December 19 they had an argument.

“The defendant is obsessed with the idea she is having an affair and was becoming aggressive towards her” she said. He spat in her face and then left the house. He returned just after midnight, she would not let him in and he shouted and kicked at the door and then sent 153 text messages to her, some of an unpleasant nature. In one he called her “a dirty slut”.

When Cary-Williams was spoken to by the police he agreed what he had done was “horrible” and felt sick at looking at the messages.

His solicitor Paul Gallagher said his client had drink trouble and drink had been the reason for these offences. He had an issue with regard to jealousy and paranoia and was convinced his partner was having an affair, turning to alcohol because of his concerns.

He had no recollection of spitting at her or sending the messages and was thoroughly ashamed of himself.

Cary-Williams was given a restraining order, and a community order for two years with a building better relationships requirement and an alcohol specified activity requirement. He had to pay £145 costs and surcharge.