A man who breached his bail conditions by harassing his victim over 100 messages and calls a day has been handed a suspended sentence and given a restraining order.

At Swindon Magistrates Court on October 27, Matthew Hutton, 47, of Claremont Crescent, Newbury, pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, sending indecent or offensive messages, ABH, criminal damage and common assault of an emergency worker.

He was given a 30-week prison sentence, suspended for two years and was given a two-year restraining order.

In August this year, Wiltshire Police were called to an address in Royal Wootton Bassett following reports of Hutton breaching bail conditions linked to an assault and criminal damage offences in 2019.

Despite a bail condition of not contacting this victim, Hutton messaged and called the victim over 100 times a day.

On the day before the victim reported Hutton to the police, they had received 21 calls in one afternoon. On one of the calls, Hutton was abusive and made a racist comment to them.

He was arrested on August 9 and taken to Gablecross police station where he became aggressive and made homophobic comments to the detention officer before attempting to headbutt them and spit at them. He was subsequently arrested for assault on an emergency worker.

PC Jonathan Kilburn said: "This is a case of persistent harassment since November last year and the victim has been subjected to months of threats and abuse.

"Despite clear bail conditions being put in place, Hutton has shown a complete disregard to these to the point the victim feared for her safety.

"Nobody should ever be made to feel that way and harassment can have a serious impact on the victim's mental health as well as their overall wellbeing and is why we take these types of offenses extremely seriously.

"I hope this sentence shows the support that is available to victims of harassment and domestic violence and we will always be there to listen and investigate."

If you are a victim of domestic violence, or you have concerns about someone you know, then please go to our website for more information, including links to partner agencies who can provide assistance and support: https://www.wiltshire.police.uk/article/1132/Domestic-Abuse.