A mother who has gone into hiding received death threat text messages from her ex-partner, a court heard.

Momodou Jaiteh, 22, has been ordered to stay at least 25 metres away from Corryne Matthews after pleading guilty to causing fear of violence.

Worthing Magistrates' Court heard yesterday the couple had separated in July 2002 following a two-year relationship.

Susan Lumbard, prosecuting, said: "On April 12, the defendant sent ten text messages using his then girlfriend's mobile phone.

"There were threats of violence and she feared he would take her son."

Miss Matthews, in Worthing at the time, called police and has since moved to a women's refuge.

Jaiteh, of Winterbourne Lane, Lewes, was arrested and charged with harassment. Seval Javitt, defending, said her client had received text messages from Miss Matthews which suggested she was not as scared as she had claimed.

Jaiteh was given a 180-hour community punishment order and was ordered to pay £118 costs.

The restraining order is indefinite.