A Glasgow man bombarded a childhood acquaintance with 361 Facebook messages including threatening to kill her.

Scott Francis appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week after he pleaded guilty to sending the texts, which were abusive, and of grossly offensive character.

The 28-year-old contacted a woman, whose identity we are protecting, between February 16, 2023 and June 2, 2024.

In this time period, Francis sent her 361 messages and made several audio and video calls via Facebook.

The court heard that the two knew each other when they were 11 but had not been in touch for well over a decade.

Texts started politely, with a “Hey” and several “Congratulations” after a major life event.

When the woman did not reply, Francis bombarded her with messages.

The procurator fiscal depute said on one particular day, he sent her 63 communications, made five voice calls and one video call. 

After a while, the Penilee resident became threatening and abusive.

READ NEXT: Woman beat busker and passers by with metal pole

He said: “Idgaf if busy, I hate being ignored", "Ffs f*** specky cow”, “F*** you, I hope you all crash in a car and don’t survive, ignorant cow”.

He also told her: “Either f****** answer me or I will f****** kill you”.

The woman was shocked and fearful, so she contacted the police.

Francis was traced and arrested on June 6, at his home address.

He told officers: “I know what this is about, the Facebook messages”.

Under caution, he admitted to the offence and told cops it was out of anger because the woman was not replying to him.

The crown sought a non-harassment order against Francis.

Sheriff Mark McGuire remarked: "I read the report, I understand what was going on.

"The threshold for custody was met."

He then turned to Francis and said: "Your conduct was totally unacceptable and I would be quite content to send you to custody if there were no alternatives.

"Quite frankly, If you breach this order, you are going to jail."

Francis was sentenced to 12 months of supervision and ordered to do 133 hours of unpaid work.

A non-harassment order was granted for 10 years.

The sheriff warned Francis: "If you breach this order, the punishment for doing so is draconian, be under no illusion.”