Angry Alan Heard subjected his former girlfriend to threatening and abusive text messages after she ordered him out of her Borehamwood home.

Heard, 39, who had just been released from a sentence for harassing another ex-partner, sent sent his victim 39 messages that saw him back in court.

Prosecutor Alan Walmsley told St Albans Crown Court today that Heard had begun a relationship with her via the internet.

He was released early, on July 9 last year, from a prison sentence for harassing a former partner and he moved into the woman's home in the Brook Road area of Borehamwood.

But within three weeks, she had asked him to leave. He moved out the next day but sent her the messages. 

He threatened to cut her throat and the throats of her children; called her a "f****** ****"; said: "I f****** hate you" and told her: "You are getting a f****** slap. Tramp."

Heard, who complained he had been left without a change of clothes, said: "I am on my way. You asked for this. You are going to see the real me. I live for violence and it will be shown in full force."

Heard, of Waterside, Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to harassing his former girlfriend by sending abusive and threatening texts between July 27 and August 5 last year.

He had 39 convictions for 82 previous offences. Most were for dishonesty and driving, but he had battery and threatening behaviour convictions in 1999 and, on April 3 last year, was sentenced to a total of 22 weeks for harassing the former girlfriend.

Will Noble, defending, said Heard had been in custody since August 21 last year. He said Heard had not used any violence and had not attempted to use any violence against her.

Judge Stephen Warner said: "These were threatening, unpleasant and unacceptable texts. No doubt they were frightening and distressing for her. Your conduct was totally unacceptable."

The judge said that the time Heard had spent in prison had already exceeded the maximum sentence he could pass. He sentenced him to three months' jail, which meant Heard was released immediately.

But the judge passed a two-year restraining order banning Heard from contacting his victim and a friend of hers who had acted as an intermediary.

He should not go within 500 metres of their homes in Borehamwood.