A father who bombarded his ex-partner with hundreds of texts and arrived at their former home unannounced has been banned from contacting her.

Aaron Gausdon, of Kingsdown near Deal, sent the mother of his children 202 messages in a single day at the height of his harassment campaign.

The 38-year-old’s relationship broke down following a row in April, whereby police escorted him to a family member’s address and ordered him to refrain from contacting the woman.

But the father-of-three’s continuous texting led to a further complaint and arrest, culminating in his being bailed with conditions to leave her alone.

Just two days later Gausdon’s sister messaged the victim on his behalf – yet when she did not respond he resumed texting her himself.

Within two days in May, he sent at least 160 unwanted messages.

Gausdon, of Kingsdown Hill, was charged with harassment without violence between April 11 and May 9.

He admitted the offence when he appeared before magistrates in June when a pre-sentencing report was ordered.

On returning to Margate Magistrates’ Court on July 2 to hear his fate, the bench was told the Crown Prosecution Service sought a restraining order.

Liz Evans, prosecuting, said: “The victim and the defendant were in a relationship for 14 years and have three children.

“But on April 11, there was an argument and the police were called and he was escorted to his mother’s address and told not to go back.

“However, on April 12, she was sent 84 messages from the defendant; she replied to six.

“Then on April 18, she got 45 messages, then on April 22, multiple messages were sent. In fact, 202 were sent.”

The prosecutor also told the court Gausdon had also been caught turning up at the address in Ash, near Canterbury, unannounced and ringing the doorbell.

Mrs Evans added: “On April 26, there were a further 40 messages and seven missed calls and that day he was arrested and bailed with conditions not to contact the victim.

“But two days later, she was contacted via a message from his sister.

“Then on May 4, there were 80 more messages and again on May 5, there were another 80 messages and missed calls and so on.

“He also turned up at the address again.”

Mrs Evans did not disclose the nature of the messages. However, it is understood they were not threatening or derogatory.

The court heard Gausdon had an unrelated previous conviction from 2015.

During the hearing, a probation officer also highlighted the fact Gausdon used cannabis, but Richard Graham, mitigating, told the court his client’s drug misuse had stopped.

He added: “He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and they had a life together. He wanted to see his children.

“He is currently residing with his mother.”

Magistrates decided to go along with the recommendation of the probation report of placing Gausdon on a 24-month community order.

During that time he will have to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation sessions.

He must attend 30 sessions of a ‘building better relationships’ course and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and court costs.

The bench also issued a two-year restraining order which bans Gausdon from contacting the woman or going near her home.