A MAN previously jailed for assaulting his estranged wife has again targeted her for abuse.

Philip Horton, 43, appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing for his latest offence against his wife of 25 years.

Horton, of Rossend Crescent, Burntisland, previously admitted that between May 14 and 28 at Adamson Crescent, Dunfermline and elsewhere, he engaged in a course of conduct which caused his estranged wife fear or alarm by repeatedly and persistently attempting to contact her via telephone calls and text messages, repeatedly shouted, swore and made threatening and offensive remarks.

Horton had been bombarding his wife with text messages which became nasty and she reported the matter to the police.

Depute fiscal Alistair McDermid said Horton called her a “twisted c***” and “a stupid cow” in the messages.

He was also upset about hearing that his children were spending too much time at night on their mobile phones and at one point threatened to “kill them” if their behaviour did not improve.

Horton had later attended at his wife’s home and arrived when police officers were there taking a statement from her. At that point he called her a “bitch” and was detained.

Defence solicitor Danielle Varela said her client was released from a jail term around October last year.

“His previous convictions are clearly not to his credit and on this occasion he has made another error of judgement,” she added.

He is currently on a community payback order.

The couple have been together for 30 years and married for 25 years.

The court heard Horton had a previous conviction for assaulting his wife and a child.

Sheriff Craig McSherry deferred sentence until October 16 for Horton to be of good behaviour. However, he warned him if there was any re-offending he could heading back to jail.