A MAN who left a knife sticking out of a flowerpot to "stir things up" with his ex-girlfriend has been given a conditional discharge.

Mark Dunn, aged 44 from Sedgeberrow, waged a war of words with his ex, Karen Williams, including leaving abusive phone messages, Worcester Magistrates were told.

The self-employed partner in a frozen food firm also admitted sending "derogatory" text messages and pleaded guilty to the charge of harassment.

A second charge of threats to kill, denied by Dunn, was withdrawn.

Douglas Marshall, prosecuting, said the three-year relationship broke down last September and Miss Williams went to live with a mutual friend, Ian Dawson, in the village.

"On Thursday, September 18, Mr Dunn phoned Miss Williams and said 'your boyfriend better get himself a minder' and shortly after this he phoned Mr Dawson and said the same to him," said Mr Marshall.

"They were both worried and at about 6pm Miss Williams arrived at Mr Dawson's house to find a large kitchen knife in the flowerpot at the door. Mr Dunn had left it there and she took it as a threat to intimidate her.

"Mr Dunn was arrested and cautioned and he admitted to the text and phone messages and admitted to leaving the knife in the flowerpot to stir things up a bit. He accepts it may have caused Miss Williams to fear for her safety."

Mr Marshall told the bench Dunn was a man of previous good character.

David Shepherd, defending, said Dunn had never appeared before a court before and had had a "massive over-reaction" to the break-up of the relationship.

Moved out

"The argument resulted in Miss Williams moving out, only a few doors away, to a man's home they both knew. About two weeks later Mr Dunn thought she was having a relationship with Mr Dawson.

"He accepts he stupidly took the knife around and left it in the flowerpot but he has indicated he had no intention to do anything further.

"He has expressed regret and is sorry."

He said Dunn had complied with his bail conditions since his arrest five months ago and had not had any contact with Miss Williams or Mr Dawson despite Miss Williams living very close by.

"He is not likely to be somebody you will see before this court again," he added.

The bench gave Dunn a 12-month conditional discharge and warned him if he appeared before the court again in that time he would be dealt with.

The bench also issued a 12-month restraining order banning Dunn from having any contact with Miss Williams and ordered him to pay £104 costs.