A BRIDGWATER woman harassed her ex-husband and the father of her child because she believed he was living the high life while not paying child support, a court has heard.

Sedgemoor Magistrates were told last week that Deborah Alison Holmes, 45, rang Nigel Holmes 19 times within a two-month period, insulted him and referred to his numerous holidays.

Holmes, a carer from Russell Place, also texted Mr Holmes’ partner Caroline McDermott 32 times.

The court heard Holmes referred to Ms McDermott as “ugly”, “dumb” and a “transvestite”, said Mr Holmes was her “sugar daddy” and also made derogatory comments about Mr Holmes and his father during phone calls to him.

Ian Denley, defending Holmes, said: “It is understood he (Mr Holmes), a chartered accountant, paid a £1 contribution to his daughter last year”, while his client was “living hand to mouth” and frustration had got the better of her.

He said: “She saw him driving a BMW and having a holiday four to five times a year, where she has difficulty in financing the family home and clearly has problems. She feels her nose has been rubbed in it.”

Mr Denley said his client had also received unpleasant messages but added: “Two wrongs did not make a right.”

Holmes, who pleaded guilty to two charges of harassment without violence, was given an 18-month conditional discharge. The chairman of the bench said she took the “considerable provocation” into account.