A race-hate blackmailer who subjected a Ledbury family to terror phone calls after a road smash has been jailed.

Ian Kyle was cleared four years ago of dangerous driving but blamed David Kaner, the other motorist, for damage to his car.

He bombarded Mr Kaner and his wife, Deborah, with 27 threatening calls and a number of letters.

He made anti-Semitic references and in one call ranted that he understood why Hitler had gassed the Jews, prosecutor Adam Western told Worcester Crown Court.

He also demanded £1,400 compensation, challenged Mr Kaner to a bareknuckle fight and warned the couple they would have to keep moving home for the rest of their lives.

Kyle, 53, of Roslyn Close, Smethwick, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment and blackmail.

Judge Michael Mott told him: "What you did was absolutely vile. You put these people in fear of violence by persistent threats.

"You abused and insulted Mr Kaner in just about the worst way which could be directed at any Jewish person. You have a twisted and obsessive mind."

He jailed Kyle for three years and nine months and passed a restraining order forbidding him to contact any member of the Kaner family in the future.

The court heard that in May 2002, Kyle was given a suspended four-month jail term for making threats to kill the same victims.

In December 2003, he began a 15-month campaign of harassment, warning Mrs Kaner to keep looking over her shoulder. He also warned the couple not to shop in Ledbury because he had lots of friends there.

Another message said: "You're going to wish you had never been born. You can run but you can't hide."

Kyle had previous convictions dating back to the 1970s, including a four-year jail term for drug crimes, possession of a weapon and dishonesty.

Dele Alakija, defending, said Kyle felt aggrieved he had not been compensated for his car damage. But he had promised his mother he would stop the vendetta.

His health problems include liver disease, counsel added.