A MAN made threatening phone calls to his former partner from prison.

Blackburn magistrates heard all calls from prison are automatically recorded and police were able to obtain the tapes after the victim made a complaint.

Ryan Jason Ashe, 24, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to sending a communication which contained a threatening message. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said the relationship with the female had terminated when he went into prison. In November she received a number of phone calls over a 45 minute period.

Initially the content was general but they deteriorated and he said he was going to murder her when he got out.

She hung up but he called back and continued in a similar vein saying he was going to make her life hell.

In the third call he apologised and said he might get in trouble if she told the police.

"She said she had already done that and he said he hated her and was going to make her life hell," said Mrs White.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Ashe had called his partner because he was at a low ebb.

"She was very candid in her response and basically told him it was his own fault and nothing to do with her," said Mr Taylor. "Despite the nasty things he said he rang back and she was prepared to answer the call. He knows the calls are recorded but at the time he just wasn't thinking."