A WOMAN who started a new relationship after breaking up with her former partner received threatening messages from him.

After hearing that Darren Hillary's bad behaviour towards the woman and her new partner had been "drink-fuelled" following his visit to the pub  magistrates banned him from touching booze for a month.

Hillary, 32, of Thomson street, Carlisle, pleaded guilty to two Communications Act offences – one against his ex and the other against her new partner.

Prosecutor George Shelly told the city's Rickergate court that in the early hours of June 28 the defendant’s former partner woke to see that she had 17 missed calls from a withheld number. There had also been a flurry of emails and voice-note messages.

They were all from Hillary.

“The content of those messages was Mr Hillary being abusive and calling her names,” said Mr Shelley. The lawyer said the defendant was angry when he discovered via Facebook that the woman had found a new partner.

Hillary posted private information about the woman that only he knew, the court heard.

She replied to Hillary, telling him not to contact her any more. She later said the defendant's messages left her feeling “anxious and embarrassed,” said Mr Shelley. “She was scared to go home to Carlisle after what he had done.”

The offence also involved the defendant posting an upsetting photograph on the victim’s Facebook page, the court heard.

When police caught up with the defendant, at a property in Carlisle, they were told that he had smashed his phone against a wall and tried to hide it down a sofa.

When he was interviewed by the police, he gave no comment answers. The court heard that Hillary had 25 pervious offences on his record, the last conviction being in March of this year when he was in court for obstructing a police officer.

From the dock of the court, Hillary told magistrates: “I am sorry.”

He said he and the woman had been together for four years and they were having a break for a “couple of days”. Three days into that break, he said, he discovered she was in a new relationship.

“I’m sorry for my actions,” he said. “I should have sat down and thought about things but I went to the pub and lost control of myself on the day. I’m ashamed and embarrassed  by what I have done.

“I have no intention of contacting her in any way, shape or form.”

Magistrates noted that the offences appear to have been “alcohol induced,” prompting the defendant to say that he was working on that issue, with support from his family and friends.

The presiding magistrate said that he and his colleagues had initially considered custody, given the defendant's previous record. But Hillary’s apology and prompt guilty pleas meant they could impose a community sentence.

The defendant was given a 24-month community order, with a 120-day electronically monitored alcohol ban. He must also complete a 30-day Building Better Relationships Course and complete up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity.

Hillary must pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Magistrates also imposed an indefinite restraining order, banning any contact with the two victims. “You will have to remain sober for 120 days,” added the presiding magistrate. The defendant replied: “It’s probably a good thing to be honest.”