A woman borrowed dogs from friends for protection after receiving unwanted contact from her ex-partner, a court has heard.

David John Williamson, 39, was banned from getting in touch with Daisy Godolphin under a restraining order imposed in February last year after he assaulted her the month before.

At Carlisle Crown Court, Williamson admitted breaching that order by posting her two pieces of mail between August 2 and 23.

Beccy McGregor, prosecuting, said Williamson and Miss Godolphin had been together for around five years.

“She describes it as a volatile, explosive and violent relationship,” said Ms McGregor.

On August 23 she contacted police after receiving two letters from Williamson.

“She states that she had put off telling the police about them. She didn’t want him getting into any more trouble and going to prison,” Ms McGregor told the court.

It emerged that Williamson had been handed a suspended jail term on August 9 for another crime.

Facebook posts by Williamson and a visit to Miss Godolphin from a friend of his had also acted as a catalyst for her raising the alarm.

The first letter from Williamson amounted to “eight sides of A4 paper” in which he confessed his love and said how much he missed her.

In addition he begged for “forgiveness” and wrote that he was “terrified” of losing her.

Ms McGregor said: “Miss Godolphin is in the court building today. She has made it clear to me that she wants nothing more to do with this defendant.

“She has been so nervous she has borrowed dogs from friends in order to protect her,” added the prosecutor.

A request was made for the restraining order to be fortified to prevent Williamson going within 100 yards of her Penrith home.

Judge Peter Davies decided to adjourn the case for four weeks.

Williamson, of Lowther Terrace, Penrith, was remanded in custody.

He will be sentenced on October 31.