Stanley Downs (47), of Field Drive, Shirebrook, was in breach of a suspended prison sentence at the time for an earlier campaign of harassment against her.

Nottingham Crown Court was told on Wednesday how eight of the latest messages were abusive.

Prosecutor Lisa Hardy told the court that his 12-year relationship with his wife ended after he assaulted her in May last year.

Downs, who had no convictions before then, was given a caution for punching her to the head.

He moved out of the matrimonial home but returned in July with a hammer and caused some damage to the property and a car window. He was given a conditional discharge.

But Miss Hardy said Downs continued to ring his ex-wife, threatening to knife her and strangle her.

"He said if he couldn't have her, no one could," said Miss Hardy.

Police installed a panic button at her home –– but on 16th August he telephoned her 84 times within a few hours.

Added Miss Hardy: "He said he was on his way and she was going to die."

He was arrested and held in custody before being given a 14-week prison sentence, suspended for two years on 5th December.

Following the latest offences, Downs admitted harassment of his ex-wife and another woman between 5th-16th December.

But his barrister Steven Gosnell said: "He is in a new relationship and there has been no further trouble in the past six-and-a-half months."

The judge recorder Rupert Mayo sentenced Downs to eight weeks suspended for a year, with a restraining order.