AN unemployed 22-year-old bombarded his ex with messages after she dumped him.

Coulton John Riglar, of Arnside Street, Barrow, was initially due to stand trial for the harassment without violence of Rachel Jean Whalley
between July 25 and October 28, last year.

On Wednesday (10) he appeared before Furness Magistrates' Court and admitted persistently making use of a public communications network to cause annoyance, inconvenience and anxiety.

Prosecutor Mr Lee Dacre said: "They had been in a relationship for about one-and-a-half years and they have a child. On July 23 she told him it wasn't working and he seemed to take it well.

"Two days later he started texting and said he was homeless. She asked him to leave her alone.  He then continued saying he missed her and wanted her back and to be with her. On August 15 she got 18 texts. She changed her phone number and called the police.

"After his arrest he was bailed with conditions not to contact her but called her, once when police were with her.

"She told him she didn't want a relationship."

Mr Michael Graham, defending, said: "They have been in a relationship and have a daughter together. They have split up before sometimes for short periods and sometimes for long periods and there had been reconciliations.

"Without going into detail there were various degrees of success in reconciliation during this period.

"She did say that she didn't want to continue with this case.

"It seems that in recent times the flow of messages has been the other way with her contacting him. He has ignored them as as it would have breached the terms of his bail conditions.

"I think this has taught Mr Riglar a lesson.

"He had been training as a welder and is looking into getting an apprenticeship in the Army. He is bored with having nothing to do and wants to do something constructive with his life."

Magistrates said they hoped he had learnt his lesson and fined him £120. He was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.