A 31-year-old man who bombarded his ex with more than 90 abusive messages in the space of one day has escaped a prison sentence.

Graham Glencross, of Dovehouse Mead, Barking, pleaded guilty to harassing his former partner this morning at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court, calling his outburst a “day of madness”.

He was given an eight-week sentence, suspended for two years, and told to attend a domestic violence management course.

The court heard how he had been in a relationship with Claire Happe, of De Pass Gardens, Barking, for about eight months things until broke down in January over allegations of cheating.

Glencross told police how Happe’s son, from a previous relationship, said she was unfaithful and had been texting other men.

Upon hearing this he called Happe a “slag”, but she kicked him in the face and he moved out.

After getting drunk on January 11, Glencross began a tirade of messages over text and WhatsApp. More than 75 went unanswered.

Among the messages read out, the court heard: “I f**king told you, you dumb c**t. Keep my name out of your dumb mouth or I will smack you up.”

Upon arrest, Glencross told police he had sent messages about her family dying, “to show how angry he was”.

Representing himself in court, he said: “I’m remorseful, it was just a day of madness, innit.

“I never meant anything by it, it was just a day of madness.”

Alongside the sentence, he was ordered to pay £80 costs and a victim surcharge of £85.

Chairman of the bench Paul Mundon said: “We are not going to impose a restraining order because the court has been unable to contact the person involved.

“This does not give you access to go round and tell her what for.”