A thug who assaulted his partner later broke his bail conditions by bombarding the woman with texts and phone calls.

Lee Dixon, 44, from Medway had caused damaged to his partner's sofa and attacked her in Sittingbourne on September 29.

After being arrested for the offences, Dixon, of no fixed address but from the Chatham area, was told to stay away from the woman.

But after being released from the cells he sent her a laughing emoji via text as well as 11 other messages to see if they had a future together. He also made seven phone calls to her in just one day.

Dixon was arrested on October 23 for breaching his bail conditions and spent a night in the cells before appearing at Medway Magistrates' Court on October 24, where he admitted breaching his bail conditions.

The court heard Dixon had previously admitted a charge of criminal damage and common assault in relation to attacking his partner and damaging her sofa on September 29 when he appeared in court on October 1.

The bench were also told Dixon, who has an alcohol problem, had been involved with the woman for 12 years and was now homeless and on the streets because their relationship had broken down.

Alan Balneaves prosecuting said: "He was granted bail and then sent 12 text messages and made seven telephone calls to her in one day.

"He also sent a laughing emoji when he was released and bombarded her with messages including saying he loved her.

"It's had an impact on her life. His behaviour is erratic and unpredictable. His record is appalling."

Magistrates were told Dixon had made contact with the woman out of desperation because he wanted to know if he had a future with her.

Magistrates refused Dixon bail and remanded him into custody as when he admitted the criminal damage and common assault charge on October 1, a had pre-sentencing report had been requested to be carried out on him.

Dixon will be sentenced over all matters at the same court on November 2.