A MOTHER-of-three was left shocked and in tears when her ex-husband rang last December and told her she wouldn’t see New Year, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how Peter Mark Sumner told victim Nicola Sumner: ‘I will terrorise you’.

Mrs Sumner was in fear and couldn't sleep properly after the threats, which the defendant had made in a call to a phone belonging to one of their children.

The hearing was told the victim would say their 10-year relationship ended about four years ago, but the defendant claimed the relationship had since been on and off.

He claimed he would get “dragged back in” again by the victim because he wanted a family life.

Sumner was jailed in 2009 for assaulting his former wife causing her actual bodily harm, after she was dragged in a car.

She was said by the defendant to have written to him while he was on remand, wanting their relationship, which she said she enjoyed, to continue.

Sumner, 49, who is self employed, claimed he struck last December 29, because his former wife told him that he couldn’t see their three young children over New Year — in almost a “mirror image” of what had happened the year before.

The defendant, from Salterforth Lane, Salterforth, admitted sending a communication conveying a threatening message.

He was given a nine month community order, with nine months’ supervision and was ordered to pay £85 costs.

Magistrates made a nine month restraining order, banning contact with the victim, who now lives in Laneshaw Bridge.