Norwich man bombarded former partner with phone calls

A Norwich man, who harassed his former partner including bombarding her with 100 phone calls in one day and smashing up her home, has been ordered by a judge to stay away from her.

Michael May, 28, would not accept his relationship was over with his partner and he kept phoning her and sending her text messages, Norwich Crown Court heard yesterday.

Christopher Morgan, prosecuting, said the couple split up in April after May smashed up her TV and stereo at her Cringleford flat and threw a beer bottle at her. May kept texting and phoning her, offering to pay for the damage, and when she agreed to meet him Mr Robins said he had tipped out her bag and started checking her mobile phone and had punched her twice in the face. He also sent her threatening text messages and also threw some keys at her on another occasion which struck her in the face.

Mr Morgan added: 'She was also receiving many, many phone calls at all hours, including 100 phone calls in a single day, many of which were silent.'

May, of Drayton Road, Norwich, admitted harassment and two counts of common assault.

The court heard that May had a previous conviction for harassing another former partner in 2000.

Judge Simon Barham jailed May for 15 months and ordered him to keep away from his ex-partner by making a four-year restraining order.

Michael Clare, for May, said that he now accepted the relationship was over.

'He has made a full apology and puts forward no excuse.'

Mr Clare said that May was ashamed and realised he had difficulty in his anger management.