A FAMILY row which spiralled out of control led to an Isle of Wight man bombarding his elderly parents with foul-mouthed and abusive texts and voicemails, a court was told.  

Ricardo Silva, of George Street, Ryde, appeared for sentencing at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court after he admitted sending a threatening message, to his parents, in Shanklin, between October 18 and 27 last year. 

The case was adjourned from last month for a probation report to be prepared.

Silva's father received "countless" abusive messages and voicemails over a ten-day period, while his mother received 34, which she ignored, said Liz Miller, prosecuting.

Fourteen of those sent to his elderly mother were identical, containing a vile insult and abusive accusation — all stemming from a family argument over which he alleged they left him homeless on his return home from Portugal, and claims over money owed to him.

Unrepresented, Silva, 37, told the bench he was sorry, and blamed the way he felt at that time on the pain caused by having a tooth extracted.

Silva was handed six months' probation, with an order to complete 15 rehabilitation sessions and pay a £66 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.