A Lowestoft man told his ex-partner he would 'make her life hell' before bombarding her with hundreds of texts and calls, a court heard.

Stephen Smith, of Tingdene North Denes Holiday Park, in Lowestoft, split from his partner of three-and-a-half years in the summer.

The 67-year-old admitted one charge of harassment without violence between September 28 and October 3.

Jen Walker, prosecuting, said: 'They had been in a relationship for three-and-a-half years but they separated in July and she moved away.

'At the end of September she decided she wanted no further contact and since then his behaviour has escalated. He began ringing and texting her constantly.

'He told her if she did not respond he would make her life hell.

'She said she could no longer trust him and she believed he could carry out any of his threats.

'The texts she was sending were telling him not to contact her.'

Smith pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Damien Moore, defending, said: 'He is a man of impeccable character with no previous convictions.

'He was married for 30 years but lost his wife to cancer in 2008 and then met his ex-partner nearly four years ago.

'The relationship had issues as most do but unfortunately it ended and he was not really sure why.

'She was still in contact with him and that meant he would stay at her place some nights, but that position changed and she decided out of the blue that she wanted nothing further to do with him.

'He was contacting her to try and sort out some of their issues and finances, but kept texting and got very frustrated.

'He became infuriated because he wanted the situation resolved and was not getting anywhere.

'It is all a rather sad situation and one that could have been avoided.'

Smith was fined £240 and ordered to pay court costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £30 and compensation of £100.

A restraining order was also made banning Smith from contacting his ex-partner for 12 months.