A man has been jailed after threatening his former partner with abusive messages.

Thomas Goodwin, 33, previously of Normandy Road, St Albans was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Friday (August 2) for malicious communications committed on July 2.

He pleaded guilty to sending abusive and threatening text messages on July 6 at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court.

At the time of the offence, Goodwin was serving a 16-month suspended sentence for assaulting the same victim in April this year.

He was sentenced to serve the previous 16-month suspended sentence, along with an additional eight months for the malicious communication.

Investigating officer from the Domestic Abuse Investigations and Safeguarding Unit (DAISU) Jayne Atkin said: “Goodwin sent abusive and threatening messages to his former partner that made her genuinely fearful.

“Having suffered at his hands before, she reported the threats to police and we acted quickly to arrest him.

“Hopefully this shows how seriously we take every report of domestic abuse. We will always fully support the victims throughout the investigative process and bring offenders to justice.”

If you have been a victim of domestic abuse, you can report it to police on the non-emergency number 101, or online at www.herts.police.uk/report.

Anyone affected by domestic abuse in Hertfordshire can get guidance and support via the Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline 08 088 088 088 or by visiting the Herts Sunflower websitewww.HertsSunflower.org. In an emergency situation call 999.