A MAN bombarded his ex-partner with unwanted phone calls and social media messages after he discovered she had gone online.

Blackburn magistrates heard that during the relationship the victim had not had access to social media because Scott Thomas Fear was jealous and controlling.

Fear, 29, of Queensberry Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to harassment and sending a threatening message.

He was sentenced to six weeks in prison suspended for 18 months, made subject to a community order with 35 days rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £50 compensation, £85 costs and £122 victim surcharge.

He was made subject to a restraining order for 12 months which prohibits him from having any contact with his ex-partner.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said the victim had been told by social services they would take her children off her if she remained in a relationship with Fear and she chose the children.

“When they split up she started a number of social media accounts which she hadn’t been able to do when they were together because of his jealousy.

“She was at home when a call came in from an unknown number and she answered.

“He called her a slag and said he knew she had a new boyfriend,” said Mr Parker.

“She put the phone down but in the hours that followed there were 42 missed calls, five missed facetime calls and 16 text messages. The phone continued to ring until 2am.”

Mr Parker said she sent three messages back telling Fear to leave her alone.

The calls started again at 7.22am and in one message Fears threatened to pour petrol through her door and kill her and her kids.

Fear threatened to post a sex video but eventually put up a photograph of his former partner wearing very little clothing.

“She felt angry and embarrassed that the photograph had been made public,” said Mr Parker.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said it had been a toxic relationship but his client fully accepted that what he had done had been wrong.

He said: “These offences were committed in December and in January he tried to take his own life.

“Since then he has been trying to get his life back on track and he just wants to put this behind him.”