A MAN from Halstead has been sentenced after he sent hundreds of “distressing” emails to his ex-partner.

Mark Matthews, 38, of Colchester Road, was sentenced to a total of 14 months in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday.

The court heard he had sent about 300 emails of a “distressing nature” in the space of a month, from June 14 to July 10, which amounted to the harassment of his former partner, the victim.

He had also breached a non-molestation order, made by Chelmsford Family Court on June 21, by sending the emails, as well as calling her phone and turning up at her address.

On July 9, without lawful excuse, he had also damaged a vehicle to the value of £450 belonging to the victim, which she used to see her son.

Matthews had admitted the offences previously in court.

In mitigation, the court heard his mother had died of cancer at the age of 60 on June 8, which led to the breakdown of his relationship, and said he was stopped from seeing his children after the abrupt ending of their relationship.

In a victim impact statement read to the court by the prosecution, it was heard the victim had suffered anxiety and panic attacks due to the harassment she has faced.

The court also heard their children have terror attacks and are under stress due to the situation.

Matthews was issued a restraining order to protect the victim, and also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £156.

Matthews had also been sentenced for an assault on a police officer in Witham.

The PC had to use pepper spray on Matthews, which he said he had never had to do before in his long service as a police officer.