A MAN who repeatedly phoned his ex-girlfriend told a court his "bad phone" might have "redialled" her without his knowledge.

David Channel repeatedly called the victim between December 2 and 12. On one occasion he warned her: "If you still have a job, I will move on to phase two."

He also told her she was "scum", adding: "I'm coming after you mate."

Channel, 50 and of West Hill Gardens in Bournemouth, appeared before magistrates in Poole to admit a single charge of harassment.

Magistrates heard the defendant had been in a "volatile" relationship with the woman for around 18 months.

The two rowed in the street in the early hours of December 2. Between 10am on December 3 and 5am on December 4, Channel called his victim's mobile phone 120 times and her landline 30 times.

The victim "pleaded" with Channel to stop calling, but he continued to harass her for a further eight days.

He was arrested on December 9 but continued contacting the woman. At 1.30am on December 11, he called and said: "I apologise for ringing so late."

The victim ended the call, but Channel rang back and said: "You've made a big mistake and you will listen to me.

"Don't ever contact me again. I know you went to police and told them a load of lies."

On December 13, Channel was arrested once again and later charged.

Magistrates heard there was a "dominant element" to his offending.

Megan McGhee, mitigating, said the offending covered a "relatively short" period.

As she spoke to magistrates, the defendant spoke from the dock to say he was surprised to hear of the number of calls, and thought his "bad phone" may have called the victim without his knowledge.

Clarifying Channel's comments, Ms McGhee said: "It's possible his phone may have redialled [the victim].

"He has got quite a bad phone, he says."

Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report. Sentencing will take place in January.

Channel was warned not to contact the victim and has been ordered to stay away from Okeford Fitzpaine.