PERSISTENTLY messaging his ex-girlfriend 91 times — in breach of a restraining order — landed a West Wight man in jail.

David Taylor, 39, of Fleet Way, Shalfleet, admitted breaching his restraining order, which also put him in breach of a suspended sentence, at the Isle of Wight Crown Court.

Mike Mason, prosecuting, told the court police were investigating a separate incident when they found the messages on Taylor's ex-girlfriend's phone.

Mr Mason said she had first received a phone call last November and had been receiving messages from him up until February 26, 2019.

In the texts, Taylor mostly asked about the couple's children and asked for photographs of them, but others included messages stating he loved her.

The incident put Taylor in breach of a suspended sentence, enforced by Oxford Crown Court, for trying to smuggle a phone into prison.

For Taylor, Kaj Scarsbrook said the frequent messages did not come from a place of malice but a misplaced care for his children.

He said: "The messages were not abusive or threatening and she had no real emotional issue with them."

Mr Scarsbrook told the court the defendant's motivation in life was his children and it was the frustration at trying to see them which led him to breach his restraining order.

The court heard Taylor was extremely remorseful and was making positive steps to come off drugs.

At sentencing, Judge David Melville said: "I've seen the messages. They go on and on and on. You do not seem to be able to restrain yourself."

Judge Melville sentenced Taylor to six months imprisonment for the breach of the restraining order and activated his suspended sentencing.

Taylor was sent to prison for a total of 14 months.

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