A man who harassed his former partner by bombarding her with menacing phone calls and text massages - even trying to get her the sack from her job - has been jailed for 18 months and told by a judge to stay away from her.

A man who harassed his former partner by bombarding her with menacing phone calls and text massages - even trying to get her the sack from her job - was yesterday jailed for 18 months and told by a judge to stay away from her.

Stuart Moran, 33, sent Candice Baker late night text messages including one which warned her: “Don't try dating anyone because you never know where I am.” He also sent her another text in which he threatened to smash her car up.

Jonathon Seely, prosecuting, told Norwich Crown Court that Moran also phoned her boss where she worked and told him to give her the sack and followed her in her car when she left off work.

When Moran was remanded in custody because of his behaviour he even made silent phone calls from prison to her and her mother.

Moran, of Queens Road, Norwich, admitted harassing Miss Baker.

Yesterday Recorder Karim Khalil jailed him for 18 months and made a restraining order in which he must keep away from Ms Baker and not go near her home or workplace.

Jonathan Goodman mitigating said that Moran had set up a car accessory business and that Miss Baker had done the accounts and that was why he had continued to phone her after the relationship ended.

He claimed he had also had to visit a supplier which was near her place of work.

However he now accepted his behaviour had gone “beyond the bounds of reasonableness” and must have caused her upset.

After he was sentenced Moran apologised for his behaviour and said” Sorry for my course of conduct.”