A YOUNG man who admitted sending a text message threatening to kill his mother in her sleep will have to carry out 120 hours of work in the community.

Warren Chorley, 23, of Thirlmere Road, Kendal, pleaded guilty to harassing Hillary Loveridge on the evening of August 2, via mobile phone messages and by turning up at her home uninvited.

Chorley will have to carry out the work under supervision in 12 months, and he was also banned from contacting his mother or going near her house.

Caroline O’Mahony, for Chorley, said: “Since he was approximately 12, he has never been able to get on with his mother. He knows that if they are together, an argument will take place.”

Mrs O’Mahony said Chorley struggled with a drink problem and had been drinking alcohol at the time of the incident.

“He admits he sent her a text in which he threatened to kill her in her sleep, but he immediately sent a text to apologise for saying that,” she said.

South Lakeland Magistrates’ Court was told Chorley was experiencing personal problems.

Mrs O’Mahony said: “The reason he behaved this way was she (Mrs Loveridge) had thrown him out of the house five weeks earlier. All his property was in the garden shed and he was concerned it may well be taken by somebody else.

“He had also been told by his ex-girlfriend she had had an abortion.

“She was expecting his child and though they weren’t together, he was adamant he wanted her to keep the baby and he would help care for it.

“His head was all over the place. He acted totally out of character and he was completely stressed out and wasn’t thinking at the time, but with hindsight he knows he shouldn’t have behaved as he did.”

Mr Chorley is now seeking counselling for his alcohol problem.