A 15-year-old girl has been left struggling to sleep at night after a man approached her on an e-scooter and threatened to kill her, a court heard.

Sean McWhinnie, 41, shouted abuse at the schoolgirl as she walked alone in Totton.

He then threatened to kill her, Southampton Crown Court was told. 

Prosecution barrister Tom Wright said the girl was "so frightened that she couldn’t attend school" after the incident last autumn.

He said the girl struggles to sleep at night out of fear.

READ MORE: Southampton FC fan handed ban for throwing gum at Newcastle supporters

McWhinnie, of Jackie Wigg Gardens, appeared at court on Friday having admitted using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence.

He admitted breaching a suspended sentence previously imposed by the court.

Timothy Compton, defending, said McWhinnie was signed up for a course which is due to start on Monday and asked the judge to consider deferring the case.

Judge Brian Forster QC deferred the sentencing until October 21 and granted a five-year restraining order banning McWhinnie from contacting the victim directly or indirectly.

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