A man sent threatening and offensive social media messages to an Aberystwyth University student threatening to shoot him and his girlfriend.

Adam Michael Davies, 20, admitted sending a string of threatening messages to Hayden Lowe between 21 November 2018 and 3 January 2019, including threats against both Mr Lowe and his girlfriend and other offensive and racist messages.

Davies, of 3 Pwllan Cottages in Llandinam, admitted sending the messages.

But magistrates were told they were sent to “shock” Mr Lowe and that he was “appalled” at what he had said and the impact the messages had.

Prosecutor Ceri Ellis-Jones said Mr Lowe had started following Davies on Snapchat, despite the two not knowing each other.

But Davies then started sending offensive messages to Mr Lowe, including a claim that he would “snort” his gran’s ashes.

Mr Lowe tried asking how Davies was, but Davies continued to send abusive and offensive messages.

Ms Ellis-Jones said that during the university Christmas break, Mr Lowe was sent a picture from Davies showing the bedroom door of his university accommodation with a note on it saying “Adam was here” as well as more offensive and threatening messages.

Further messages from Davies said he was going to kill Mr Lowe before he sent pictures of himself holding a gun in front of a computer screen showing pictures of Mr Lowe and his girlfriend.

In a statement, Mr Lewis said the incident had “jeopardised my future” at university as he had suffered anxiety problems and had struggled to attend lectures.

He said it had left him relying heavily on family and friends for support and physically sick at times.

Ms Ellis-Jones said the offence seemed to “come out of nothing” as Davies and Mr Lowe did not know each other.

Defence solicitor Jonathan Crosskey said Davies claimed that offensive messages had been exchanged between the two men, but said Davies accepted that the messages he sent had been offensive and had been sent as a “shock factor”.

He said Davies, who is believed to be autistic, hadn’t understood the impact the messages would have on Mr Lowe and said that it had been a “wake up call” for Davies who apologised for his behaviour.

Presiding magistrate Caroline Woodhead said: “It was not a nice thing at all to do.

“It was racist, nasty and unpleasant.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with Davies ordered to complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 50 hours of unpaid work.

He was also made subject to a 12-month restraining order to stay away from Mr Lowe, not to contact him and not to enter anything onto social media regarding Mr Lowe.

Davies will also pay costs of £170.