AN ACRIMONIOUS break-up with his girlfriend last summer led to a Cowes man bombarding her with vile and abusive messages on WhatsApp, an Isle of Wight court was told.

Richard Thompson, of Love Lane, Cowes, appeared for sentencing before Island magistrates on Wednesday (9) following his earlier admission of harassment without violence, against a woman, between May 31 and June 7.

The 48-year-old had been in a relationship with his victim for about ten months when she decided it was not working and ended it.

Thompson "did not take the decision well" and began a week-long campaign of sending her numerous offensive and abusive messages on the social media app, WhatsApp, said Ann Smout, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

His messages focused chiefly on her weight, which upset her deeply as she had various conditions and was self-conscious about weight issues, the bench was told.

As part of his course of conduct, Thompson also rang her 102 times on June 3 alone.

The victim reported it to the police, saying she had made it clear to Thompson she no longer wanted him and just wanted the harassment to stop, said Mrs Smout.

When interviewed by the police, Thompson conceded he had sent the victim an excessive amount of messages and had been stupid, because he still loved her and wanted her attention.

Thompson, with no previous convictions, was unemployed because his work phone, from which he sent his messages and made the calls, was seized by the police.

In mitigation, Amy Hosell said her client has had no further contact with the victim since the messages were sent and no longer wished to see her.

Magistrates handed Thompson a year's probation, with an order to complete 100 hours' unpaid work, and a six-month restraining order, not to contact the victim in any way.

Thompson was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £95 surcharge.