A COUNTY man who sent threatening messages to his partner has been banned from contacting her for the next two years.

Cornelius Murphy sent the abusive messages to the woman by phone, text and on social media, along with threats to harm himself.

Murphy, c/o The Seaglass Inn, Links Road, Port Seton, also repeatedly sent the woman unwanted gifts and, on one occasion during their relationship, he was said to have seized her by the body.

The 29-year-old appeared for sentencing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Wednesday after previously pleading guilty to the offences.

Sheriff John Mundy said that the charges were to be considered as “serious” and issued a community payback order as an alternative to a custodial sentence.

Murphy was placed on supervision for 18 months and ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work, which are to be completed over the next 12 months.

The sheriff also handed down a non-harassment order meaning Murphy cannot contact or approach the woman in any way for the next two years.

Murphy, originally from Prestonpans, pleaded guilty to engaging in a course of conduct which was abusive of the woman between September 1, 2019, and October 28 last year.