Abusive caller spared jail

A man who made sexual remarks to women over the phone has avoided a jail sentence.

Colin Logan, aged 35, of Walsall Wood Road, Aldridge, was told that his harassment warranted a prison term.

But Walsall magistrates were told that "intervention by the probation service" would be a more effective sentence. Mr Colin Heald, prosecuting yesterday, said Logan got the mobile number of Tina Mawer from a business card he found and made about 40 lurid phone calls to it.

He then rang the business mobiles of four health workers in Humberside.

Logan admitted three counts of harassment and two of sending offensive messages. He was given 12 weeks custody, suspended for two years, for harassing Tina Mawer, and eight weeks custody, suspended for two years, for a harassing another woman, plus a two-year community order.

He was ordered to complete an alcohol treatment course, handed a restraining order, and ordered to pay £85 costs.