A MAN called his ex-partner 28 times in half an hour when he was banned from contacting her at all and threatened to have her child taken away.

Lee Clipson was on bail after allegations were made by his former girlfriend when he made the almost constant string of calls to her.

He was later charged with a series of offences including three counts of assault, two counts of criminal damage, racially aggravated assault and racial harassment which all allegedly took place in Colchester.

However he was cleared of those charges by a jury following a trial, and convicted of communication carrying a threatening message.

During the calls - of which 18 were answered and ten were rejected - the 24-year-old told the victim if she persisted with her complaint he would make a counter allegation that she had stabbed him and that she would lose her son.

He then said: "I might get six months but you will be crying for much longer."

At Ipswich Crown Court, Judge Emma Peter handed Clipson a 12 month community order with 40 hours of unpaid work.

He must also complete ten rehabilitation order requirement days which she hoped would ensure he was able to deal with relationships and break ups in a more appropriate way.

She said: "Whatever had happened or not happened when a relationship is in difficulties it is incumbent on everyone to behave as responsibly and maturely as they can.

"What you went onto do was to call her 28 times in just half an hour.

"In the course of the ten calls which were answered you said some very cruel things including if she persisted in her complaint to the police it may result in her having her son taken away.

"You well know her son is hugely important to her and it was probably the most cruel thing you could possibly have said.

"It casts no light at all on you that you would choose to make that threat."

Judge Peters said the fact Clipson had bail conditions not to contact her at all during that period made the offence more serious.

The court heard how the groundworker, of The Street, Latchingdon, had not been in trouble with the police before and his family were "horrified" to see him appear in the dock.

He has not been in a relationship since the issues arose in June last year.

Judge Peters granted a restraining order banning him from contacting his ex-partner for five years and ordered he pay £150 towards prosecution costs.