A MAN who bombarded his former partner with abuse and threats blamed a change in his mental health medication.

Blackburn magistrates heard Jamie Scott Holden sent his ex 46 text messages in a four-day period and the content got progressively more distressing for the victim.

Holden was subject to a restraining order and a suspended prison sentence at the time.

Holden, 30, of Aberdare Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to breach of a restraining order. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay £200 compensation and £85 costs.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said there had been earlier contact but on February 2 the messages became more frequent and more threatening and abusive.

"He said he would come to her house to get his revenge," said Mr Robinson.

"He said he would harm her and her children and in one message said he would stab her so many times she would be unrecognisable."

Gareth Price, defending, said his client had been subject to restraining orders of various sorts since 2018 and there had been no previous breaches.

Mr Price said his client had mental health problems and around the time of the offence his medication had been changed.

"He didn't react well and it was at that time the messages were sent," said Mr Price.

"They were just the outpourings of the difficult mental health episode he was going through.

"They contained some nasty language but there was never any action to back them up."