A DISGRUNTLED former customer who sent a letter to a shop owner — challenging him to a fight to the death — has been banned from contacting him again.

Richard Davies, 53, of Albert street, Ventnor, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to sending a malicious communication.

He was caught on CCTV posting a letter through the door of a Ventnor shop, in which he challenged the owner to a 'fight to the death.'

The letter, which was read to the court said: "I'm tired, I don't care about my honour anymore, so I offer you a fight to the death.

"If this is going to be your last fight to the death, then burn in hell.

"There's no need to get the police involved."

Prosecutor Anne Smout said shop owner Stewart Clark had previously thrown Davies out of his shop because he broke a window.

Davies' defence solicitor said his client, previously a resident at a mental health rehabilitation centre, suffered with schizophrenia.

He said: "Although he had written the letter, he could not remember what he wrote. When I showed him the contents of the letter, he was quite shocked."

Davies was given a 12-month community, banning him from going to the High Street shop or contacting Stewart Clark.

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