Pest bombarded ex with hundreds of abusive texts and voicemails and threatened to 'slice and dice' her cousin

Callum Moody bombarded the victim with 175 voicemails and 176 texts over a five week period last summer, which became increasingly abusive and threatening.

Newcastle Crown Court heard during the sickening tirade the 23-year-old warned the woman he would "slice and dice" her cousin.

Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw told the court: "There were threats toward herself and her family, causing her to fear violence would be used.

"Some of the messages were racially aggravated. Not in all, but in some of them."

Moody, of Fourth Avenue, Chester-le-Street, admitted racially aggravated harassment, putting another person in fear of violence.

The court heard Moody had been issued with a domestic violence protection order for 28 days, to keep him away from the victim after the end of their relationship.

Mr Wardlaw added: "It was shortly after that order came to an end the defendant began his campaign of making threatening phone calls and sending threatening text messages to the complainant."

Mr Wardlaw said the messages started as "almost friendly" but soon descended into abuse.

He added: "He made threats of violence to her, threats she would die.

"He made threats to family members of her, including her cousin and stated her cousin would die, claiming he would slice and dice the cousin."

Judge Sarah Mallett sentenced Moody to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements, 150 hours unpaid work and a two year restraining order to keep him away from the woman.

The judge told him: "You used racist language in relation to her that I am not going to repeat. It was offensive, it was racist, abusive and no doubt distressing to her."

The judge said Moody does not have a bad record and has a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Liam O'Brien, defending, said Moody suffers from ADHD, has a troubled background and made no attempt to cause any physical harm or even confrontation.

Mr O'Brien added: "This was his first meaningful relationship and it is apparent he was simply unable to cope with his emotions in any reasonable way."

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