A JOBLESS city man abused the woman trying to help him get back to work, texting her 'do us a favour and kill yourself'.

James Craig of Moor Street, Worcester admitted sending threatening messages to the jobs coach but could not explain why he had done it, a probation officer suggesting it may have been because earlier texts had gone unanswered.

The 62-year-old sent the messages to the Fusion job coach for Platform Housing Group based at the Hive whose role is to help people get back into work.

Craig admitted sending the threatening text 'for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to the recipient', an offence under the Malicious Communications Act, on June 21 this year when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Thursday.

Although the meetings normally take place at the Hive, during the pandemic many of them had taken place online said Mark Hambling, prosecuting.

The woman, who had her phone off at the time the texts were sent, switched her work mobile back on when a series of texts arrived at once from the defendant.

One of the texts read: "If you're still alive then do us a favour by killing yourself."

Another read: "Good morning, I hope you're well. You're going to be dead by July 31."

Mr Hambling said the woman had been 'shocked' to receive the messages.

"She felt frightened and scared to the point she informs her line manager what has happened and doesn't really feel comfortable leaving her house."

In interview, the defendant said he was remorseful and wished to make amends.

He had previously been given a conditional discharge in 2013 for harassment.

Gary Harper, defending, said this conviction was spent and asked magistrates to treat him as a man of good character. He said Craig was 'stone cold sober' when he sent the texts.

"He appreciates she would have been upset and doesn't know why he sent them but he accepts full well that he did," said Mr Harper.

The defendant had even told his solicitor: "I would feel devastated if I received these messages."

In reference to a potential restraining order, Mr Harper said his client had to attend the Hive or he would be sanctioned and 'will have no money at all'.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order to include 130 hours of unpaid work and ordered him to pay costs of £135 and a statutory victim surcharge of £95.

They also made a two-year restraining order which prevents Craig having any contact, directly or indirectly, with the complainant.