A HEREFORDSHIRE man who sent threatening messages and assaulted a woman has been handed a suspended sentence.

Darren Sutton appeared before magistrates in Hereford for sentencing in March after entering a guilty plea to one count of sending a letter, communication, or article conveying a threatening message and two counts of assault by beating.

Hereford Times:

The court heard from prosecutor Mark Hambling that the 29-year-old had sent text messages and made phone calls which conveyed a threat for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to a woman in Bromyard on January 17 last year.

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He had also assaulted the same woman by beating on two occasions on April 2, the court heard.

Magistrates said the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, as Sutton, of Dry Thistle Close in Bromyard, Herefordshire, has "a flagrant disregard" for court orders.

Sutton was handed a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

No order was made for prosecution costs due to Sutton's lack of means.