A BLACKBURN man has admitted sending threatening text messages to a woman after she told him she just wanted them to be friends.

Preston Crown Court was told that Mohseen Valli, who had wanted a relationship with the woman, had also threatened to kill her in a telephone call.

Valli 24, of Cheltenham Road, Blackburn, admitted harass-ment and was sentenced to a community order involving 80 hours of unpaid work.

He was also banned from contacting the woman for two years, and a 12-month restr-aining order was imposed.

Mr Duncan Birrell, prosecuting, told the court the offence spanned from February 4 to March 15.

The complainant had known Valli for some time and he had wished the friendship to become more intense.

There was an incident in the car park of the Capitol Centre in Preston in which Valli had asked her to cut him with a knife.

She was concerned about what she had been asked to do and the state of his mind.

Valli then persistently contacted the woman.

She was due compensation from a road accident and that appeared to have been a factor that contributed to the conduct of the defendant, said the prosecution.

Valli called her saying: “Don’t get on the wrong side of me.”

In another he warned: “I’m going to come to your house and kill you and your dad.”

Several text messages were also sent including one which read: “Don’t worry, I’ve got better plans for you.”

Mr Joe Boyd, defending, said Valli was of previous good character.

He had learned his lesson and regretted his behaviour.