A MAN bombarded his ex with hundreds of unwanted text messages in a single day - five months after he broke her nose.

Calum McLarty (23) of Castle Croft, Dalmellington, admitted frightening the girl, on November 12, when he repeatedly tried to get in touch with her.

He sent 285 text messages in the course of the day despite being told she wanted nothing to do with him.

At a hearing in November Depute Fiscal, Jason Bell, said: “The complainer and the accused had been in a relationship for six months which ended shortly before November 12.

“At the time of the incident she had told McLarty she no longer wished to have any further contact with him. But he called her and text messaged her 285 times throughout the day.

“The woman contacted the police. Officers attended and the accused was traced.”

McLarty also assaulted his partner at his home address on June 24, by punching her and causing swelling around her nose and temple.

The 23-year-old re-appeared from custody before Sheriff Carole Cunninghame at Ayr Sheriff Court last week.

Speaking on his behalf, defence solicitor Gregor Forbes said: “There are three recent convictions. The pair appear to have been in an on/off relationship but Mr McLarty reacted badly to the end of the relationship.

“In one of the assaults the complainer sustained a broken noise, but this was not reported in the narrative. He did send a substantial amount of text messages to the complainer during a day.”

Depute Fiscal Lindzi Bayne, said: “The complainer has not requested a non harassment order but I would ask your Ladyship to consider one.”

Addressing the dock, Sheriff Cunninghame said: “You have now been in remand for several weeks in respect of this case. I hope you have thought long and hard about your behaviour.

“I take that into account but I also take into account this will be your third conviction of a similar nature in a short period of time.

“Up until then you had no convictions. I am prepared to allow you to complete a community payback order but I will be keeping an eye on you. If you do not comply custody will be revisited.”

McLarty has been placed on a community payback order, will be supervised for two years and has been asked to complete the Caledonia project and alcohol counselling. A non harassment order has been put in place for two years and McLarty has been ordered not to contact his ex.