A WOULD-BE marine who sent threatening messages to his brother and sister has had an "epiphany" while in custody, a court heard last week.

Lee Norris, of Lockyers Way in Lytchett Matravers, texted "I'm cutting you up" to his brother. He also sent a slew of "nasty" messages to his sister.

The defendant, 30, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentence after admitting making threats to kill, sending a malicious communication and breaching a non-molestation order.

However, the hearing was adjourned for further reports into his behaviour.

A judge heard that Norris sent some 72 messages over the course of three hours to his brother on June 30.

Tim Bradbury, prosecuting, said the defendant's brother did not take the threats seriously, although his family were left upset by the communications.

"On one occasion, when Norris said, 'I'm going to bury you', his brother responded, 'You get out of breath when you're digging'," the barrister said.

Norris's sister was "very concerned" by the messages she received from the defendant, the court heard.

John Dyer, mitigating, said the defendant has been at HMP Winchester for around five days, during which he has gone without drinking and had an "epiphany" about his future.

"He has emotionally unstable personality disorder," Mr Dyer said.

"He did get on a marine training course. A girl fell pregnant. He abandoned the course and has not been on a stable path since."

Judge Brian Forster QC said he was unable to release the defendant from custody without a "concrete" plan in place.

"Your lifestyle has been chaotic," the judge told Norris.

The sentence was adjourned until November.