A man who headbutted his ex-girlfriend in the face narrowly avoided jail.

Robert Arthur, 36, of Ness Road, Shoebury, bombarded the woman with text messages and threatening phone calls after she walked out on him three days earlier.

He went to her flat and in an argument headbutted her on the nose, causing bleeding, last September.

Arthur pleaded guilty at Southend Magistrates' Court to common assault and harassment.

In mitigation, Richard Cooper said his client contacted the victim many times to get an explanation for her leaving him.

District Judge Kevin Gray said he was concerned because Arthur had previous convictions for similar offences. But he added: "I will take the unusual step and not impose a custodial sentence on this one and last occasion."

He imposed a community punishment and rehabilitation order of two years probation and 80 hours community service plus an indefinite restraining order.

Published Tuesday, January 7, 2003

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