A 52-YEAR-old man has been fined for sending abusive text messages to a former employer.

Nigel Davies, with a care of address in Verschoyle Gardens, Ross-on-Wye. pleaded guilty to sending communication conveying a threatening message.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, said between August 1 and November 11 last year Davies sent 48 text messages to David Gundy, who owns a removal company.

Herefordshire Magistrates Court heard that Davies saw Mr Gundy driving through Ross in his work's van and it annoyed him as Davies believed he still owed him £500 from when he worked with him around 15 years ago.

Davies started sending anonymous messages to Mr Gundy and Mr Jones added: "This continued for some time with general abuse asking to meet Mr Gundy."

Mr Gundy became concerned when the messages started referring to his home address.

Emily Gourley, defending, said Davies knew he was in the wrong.

Magistrates fined him £120 and ordered him to pay court costs of £135, a surcharge of £30 and compensation of £50. He was also given a restraining order for two years not to contact Mr Gundy in any way.