A MAN who was spared jail after harassing his partner is now behind bars after continuing the campaign just hours later.

Alan Reed, of Van Dieman's in Stanford in the Vale, appeared before Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday for breaching his restraining order.

The order was made on May 4 after Reed was spared jail by judge Ian Pringle who handed him a 10-month suspended sentence.

But, after defying the order, he repeatedly texted his ex less than 24 hours later.

Oxford Crown Court heard how the 45-year-old was originally arrested earlier this month for harassing his ex-partner, including turning up at her home in Faringdon and hurling abuse at her.

The court heard how he continued to text the victim ‘non-threatening messages’ after his previous court appearance, including one which said "I am risking my liberty for you, I love you".

He was arrested on May 9 and remanded in custody.

Reed also hurled threatening abuse at the arresting police officer on his way to Abingdon Police Station.

He was then charged with one count of breaching his restraining order and one count of using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour with intent to cause fear.

Mr Reed pleaded guilty to both offences and appeared on Tuesday in court via video link from HMP Bullingdon.

Judge Pringle said: “Within a matter of hours of being released you committed this offence by texting the victim on May 5, and sending some six more messages on May 6.

“This caused her considerable distress and she has made it clear a long time ago she wanted nothing more to do with you.”

Reed was handed two years imprisonment in total.

This includes 12 months for the original harassment, two months for abusive language towards an officer and 10 months for breach of his suspended sentence.