A man who bombarded his ex-girlfriend with text messages has pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order, shortly after it was granted in court.

Marcus Morison, of Imperial Road, Exmouth, had been told by magistrates sitting in Exeter in December not to contact his ex-girlfriend directly or indirectly, or to go near an address in Ottery St Mary.

The court heard how 45-year-old Morison, who had been in a relationship for two years, sent his ex-girlfriend a text outlining the conditions of his order.

He also telephoned her on Christmas Day.

Prosecutor Laura Gardner said: “She received a phone call, which had no caller ID and she recognised the voice of Morison, who said: ‘Merry Christmas princess’.”

Magistrates were told Morison sent the woman 44 text messages between Boxing Day and December 29, 2014.

Miss Gardner added: “She said it was creepy - she believed he was obsessed with her. She was feeling intimidated by it. She was not sure what he would do next.”

Morison was arrested and, after pleading guilty to a charge of harassment, was sentenced at Exeter Magistrates’ Court on January 9.

Morison’s defence solicitor said Christmas and new year had been the worst time for the order to begin.

She added: “They were messages of love to her. I think it is important to say he was not using swear words or threats.

“He was emotionally a broken man.”

The court heard how Morison had moved to Exmouth to distance himself from his ex-partner and deleted her telephone number.

Magistrates revoked the original order from December and issued Morison with a 15-month supervision order and imposed a fresh, 12-month restraining order. He was also ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.

Morison told magistrates: “It was the lowest point in my life. You will never see me here again. Thank-you for another chance.”