A MAN breached a restraining order by sending a series of text messages to his former partner, a court heard.

Following the breakdown of Craig Cummings’ relationship, he was issued with a harassment warning which he ignored, landing him in court.

After pleading guilty to harassing his former partner, the 37-year-old was issued with a restraining order. Over the course of three days, from December 7 until December 9, he sent her a series of messages breaching that order, Darlington Magistrates’ Court was told on Tuesday.

Jonathan Bambro, prosecuting, said: “He sent a number of texts and asked her not to get the police involved.

“He told her that he was in hell and still loved her.

“He added that for the first time in his life he had something worth fighting for and continued to text her throughout the night.

“She had had enough and decided to contact the police.”

Stephen Andrews, mitigating, said that Cummings, who pleaded guilty to the three breaches, was of previous good character and had suffered a breakdown when the relationship ended.

He added: “He has described how he was at a very low ebb.

“After assuming she would not want to see him, he decided to text her. There is absolutely nothing to suggest that the texts were threatening or malicious.”

The case against Cummings, of Haughton Road, Darlington, was adjourned to Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court.

He will appear on February 16 after the completion of a pre-sentence report.