A 39-YEAR-OLD man began sending messages to his estranged partner on New Year’s Eve while he was in drink.

Blackburn magistrates heard she replied to the early messages but told Lee Smith to stop when the content became less than pleasant.

Smith, of Brunshaw Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to sending malicious communications to Emma Sharples. He was fined £733 with £73 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said the relationship had ended last year and Smith had been made subject to a harassment warning in November.

“She received quite a few messages on New Year’s Eve and responded to some which seemed quite innocent,” said Mrs Mann. “As they started to take a downward turn she told him to stop sending them. That resulted in threats, including one to kill her and the kids, and she felt she had to involve the police.”

Dylan Bradshaw, defending, said the appearance in court brought to a close a New Year his client was not going to forget.

“He was arrested on New Year’s Eve and has spent the first two nights of the year in a police cell,” said Mr Bradshaw. “He was in the house on his own and the messages were triggered by loneliness and too much alcohol. The first thing I asked him was if he was still in love with this woman and he burst into tears and said he was.”