AN Ebbw Vale man who bombarded his former partner with text messages has been given a restraining order.

Appearing before Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 37-year-old Dean Badcock, of Parc Bychan, Newtown, Ebbw Vale, admitted harassing Claire Thomas between July 1 and August 7.

Mark Salter, prosecuting, said that on July 9 Badcock was issued with a warning for constantly texting his former partner, parking outside her house and playing loud music.

Later, on July 19, the messaging resumed.

Mr Salter said that initially the messages were warm-hearted, but when the complainant did not reply they became more sinister.

One message read: “I’m still off my nut, you’re having what’s coming to you.” Another said: “I’ll make sure you lose your job, I’ll fight every man you meet and make sure you’re never happy.”

In total the defendant sent around 80 text messages, the court heard, and also harassed whoever Ms Thomas was dating.

Officers visited the complainant’s home, during which time Badcock drove past. He was interviewed and said the pair had an on-off relationship. He was bailed until yesterday, but on Monday sent a message to Ms Thomas, stating: “You want to make the most of it because after Wednesday I’m going to throw a spanner in the works.”

David Lewis, mitigating, said Badcock has problems in ending relationships and described the number of messages sent to Ms Thomas by Badcock as “unreasonable”.

He added that a similar allegation had been made against the defendant two years ago from a separate complainant.

Magistrates sentenced Badcock to a 12-month community order and placed a restraining order upon him, preventing him from seeing Ms Thomas. He must complete 180 hours’ unpaid work and pay £85 costs.