A MAN avoided jail after making racially aggravated phone calls, sending a grossly offensive message and assaulting a woman.

David Morris, of Brackenwood Mews, Wilmslow, admitted sending numerous phone calls and voice mails, deliberately harassing Abdul Bhatti between February 15 and 24 this year.

The 40-year-old had previously denied the charge but changed his plea when the case was heard at Stockport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court found that the offence was racially aggravated.

Morris also pleaded guilty to sending message to a woman on February 22 that was considered grossly offensive, indecent or obscene.

The defendant also admitted assaulting a woman by beating her on March 3 this year.

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Magistrates committed Morris to prison for a total of 12 weeks suspended for 12 months because they said the offences were both 'so serious'.

The bench included a four week concurrent sentence, also suspended for 12 months, for the grossly offensive message and the assault.

Under the terms of the sentence, Morris must give up alcohol for 120 days and comply with any instructions to attend activities by the rehabilitation officer.

A restraining order was made prohibiting him from making any contact with Mr Bhatti or entering a named address during the next two years.

He is also forbidden from contacting two named women for the same period.

He was ordered to pay £225 costs and £128 victim surcharge.

Two further charges of sending a grossly offensive social media message on February 12 and harassing Mr Bhatti with unwanted phone calls and messages between February 15 and March 23 were dismissed.