A woman considered fleeing from her home after her life was made a misery by a controlling boyfriend.

Carlisle Crown Court court heard how Daniel Norman, 29, has a history of committing harassment offences against woman - even before he turned his attention to Emma Downie.

The defendant, of Shady Grove Road, Raffles, admitted harassment.

David Toal, prosecuting, said the victim was in an on-off relationship with Norman from December 2016.

"She describes the relationship initially as being satisfactory," said the prosecutor. "The defendant then started to become violent and abusive towards her."

The barrister outlined how over the following months Norman began a course of conduct that included numerous unwanted and abusive phone calls and text messages.

In June, she found he had been unfaithful and tried to end the relationship, and this triggered abusive messages.

Referring to an airgun he had left at her home, he told her in one text: "Get that gun or you're human remains, I promise."

In August, he sent messages pleading with her to be let back into her life, promising that he would no longer be violent.

"As a result of this," said Mr Toal, "she describes being worn down. She unblocked him on Facebook."

In the week before August 16 of that year, he moved back in and - for two or three days - things were fine. The barrister continued: "After that, the controlling behaviour started again."

On one occasion, as the police drove past, he hid under a bed in her house, but grabbed her leg so she could not to answer the door when the officers knocked. But she broke free.

Mr Toal added: "As she opened the door, she was shaking violently and scared. He was arrested but since his arrest he's been sending her letters, asking her to write, asking for money, and threatening to kill himself if she won't have him back."

In her victim personal statement, Miss Downie said she had been unable to sleep because of his constant calls. "I'm scared to go out of the house," she said. She added that she had considered moving into a hostel to escape from the defendant.

The court was told Norman had numerous previous harassment offences on his record.

Kim Whittlestone, for Norman, said the defendant had served the equivalent of a 10-month sentence on remand and he had both learning and emotional difficulties following a significant trauma in his youth.

"He needs some form of intervention," said the barrister.

After hearing the details of the case, Recorder Julie Clemitson imposed a three year community order which includes a six month overnight curfew, and 40 days of rehabilitation.

She also imposed a two year restraining order, forbidding any contact with Miss Downie, and an £85 victim surcharge.