A MAN who sent dozens of unpleasant and threatening messages to his former girlfriend has been jailed for two years.

John Manning, 34, told the woman: "Why don't you just die, I hate you," and "Do me a favour and drop dead, I hope it's a painful death."

Prosecutor Heather Gilmore told Bradford Crown Court yesterday that Manning had been in a relationship with the 24-year-old complainant and they had three children together.

But at the time of the offences, last August, they had been separated for a year.

Miss Gilmore said it had been a difficult relationship and after it ended the complainant obtained a non-molestation order.

Manning sent a series of threatening and abusive text messages to the complainant after she started a relationship with another man, and he also posted messages on her mother's Facebook page.

Among the messages he sent were: "Can't you crash on the way home and die."

When he was arrested Manning admitted sending the messages and wishing the complainant was dead and told police: "She deserved it."

The court heard that Manning, of North Avenue, Manningham, Bradford, who pleaded guilty to harassment, causing fear of violence, had convictions for shoplifting and drugs and a previous offence of harassment in 2004.

His barrister, Abigail Langford, conceded it was a nasty offence but argued that a short custodial sentence may not prevent further offending.

Miss Langford said her client had difficulty accepting the end of the relationship but now had a new partner. She said the offences were borne out of frustration and there was no suggestion threats were made face to face.

The judge, Recorder David Ake, told Manning he had sent 58 threatening messages to the victim between August 2 and 5.

Recorder Ake said: "The messages were of an unpleasant and threatening kind, and bound to have caused her serious upset."

He added: "You have a bad record of offending and a number of convictions for failing to comply with court orders. It's time you took responsibility for your own actions.

"In view of your previous convictions, the vast number of threats made, and the effect on the victim, I consider it has to be immediate custody."

The judge also imposed a restraining order, preventing Manning from contacting the complainant or going within 100 metres of her home.

After he was led from the dock following the sentencing, Manning could be heard shouting, swearing and threatening to kill the complainant.