A telephone sex pest from Newton Abbot who made 'vile and salacious' calls to complete strangers – including switchboard staff at Devon and Cornwall Police – has had a ten-year anti-social behaviour order granted against him.

Edwin Richards, 45, formerly of Gilbert Road, whose behaviour was described as 'predatory' by his defence solicitor, is currently serving a six-month sentence following a trial in May.

He was produced from custody for the asbo hearing at South Devon Magistrates at Torquay on Thursday.

The court heard that Richards was found guilty on all 16 charges of making 'grossly offensive' calls and sending texts of a menacing and sexual character over a three-week period during August last year.

Prosecutor Chris Bittlestone said nine of the charges related to Lisa Bradbury, a passing acquaintance, from whom Richards had bought some cats.

'They were of a vile and salacious nature', he said.

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