A RANTING Sedgley man who sent his former girlfriend threatening and abusive voice messages has been ordered to pay compensation.

Judge Michael Challinor told 21-year-old Matthew Southall his "three-minute rant" had been "unforgivable" as he ordered him to cough up £500 to his victim.

Timothy Sapwell, prosecuting, said that in a state of anger Southall left his ex-partner five voice messages after they split up which were "extremely abusive."

He told Wolverhampton Crown Court they contained racially abusive language and, as a result, the young woman no longer felt safe and she was worried about whether he would leave her alone.

Judge Challinor told Southall: "This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated. You hurt her a great deal and she deserves to be compensated for what you did."

Southall, a construction worker, of Netherby Road, admitted racially aggravated harassment and he was also placed on supervision for a year.

Thomas Kenning, for Southall, said his client's relationship with the woman was now completely over and stressed it was a rant of short duration directed at his former partner.

Mr Kenning said: "He is not someone who loses his temper all the time, he is certainly very sorry for what he did."