A Belvedere man who smashed up his ex-girlfriend’s car and threatened her with a torrent of abusive texts has been handed a community order.

Adam Morrell, 30, referred to mother-of-three Charlotte Kenton as "a c**t" and vandalised her blue Peugeot before texting her saying "smashed mirror on car, old slag".

Morrell, of Lessness Road, began dating Ms Kenton, who had three children from a previous relationship, in December but things went sour earlier this year.

District Judge Roger Ede told Bexley Magistrates’ Court on June 4: "He sent abusive texts and made abusive phone calls to his ex-partner and punched the wing mirror of her car.

"He has a history of aggressive behaviour towards ex-partners and he also tested positive for Class A drugs when he was arrested."

Morrell was cautioned for damaging another ex-partner’s car in 2012.

He also has a conviction for harassment against a male member of the public in 2009.

In this case Morrell pleaded guilty to harassment without violence and a separate charge of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.

During a previous hearing at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on May 9, prosecutor Kara Cann said: "Ms Kenton was concerned he was becoming increasingly jealous and controlling.

"His calls and texts ranged from pleading to abusive – one day she had 32 missed calls from him.

"He used terms such as slag, c**t and Essex slag.

"He suggested he was arranging to get the father of her children shot."

Mr Ede sentenced Morrell to a 12 month community order including a 25 day domestic abuse programme.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £60 and a restraining order was granted against him on behalf of Ms Kenton.

He denied another count of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.

This charge was subsequently dismissed when the prosecution offered no evidence.