A Scout leader carried out a campaign of harassment against his ex-partner – but claimed in court he called her “a rag” and not a prostitute.

Francisco Fraga, 44, spewed vile insults and abuse when the pair met weekly to pick up and collect the children they share.

But the exchanges were far from harmonious, Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard.

Prosecuting, Anisa Alrubaie said their children could only be picked up or collected from Southampton Central Police Station, which is where Fraga’s harassment occurred.

 Southampton Scouts leader Francisco Fraga carried out a weekly campaign of harassment against his ex partner  Southampton Scouts leader Francisco Fraga carried out a weekly campaign of harassment against his ex partner (Image: Newsquest) “This lasted from May to August of 2022, and one occasion the victim approached the defendant and heard him insult her in front of their son", Ms Alrubaie told the court.

She added: “Fraga also said ‘There you are, prostitute’ and she told him to not use such language in front of their children, one of whom was three years old.”

This was disputed by Fraga, who said the English translation of the Polish word he used is ‘rag’.

Such insults were repeatedly weekly when the pair met, and the victim said she was “tired of him making comments towards me.”

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In her victim impact statement, read out in court by Ms Alrubaie, she said: “These comments became part of my weekly routine.

“It is difficult for me to say how low and small it made me feel.

“I am trying to let my son have a relationship with his father but that is becoming difficult, and I feel completely hopeless.”

Mitigating, Oliver O’Connor said no similar incidents have happened in the last three years.

He said: “This is a man who is very pleasant and helpful, and even volunteers as a Scouts leader, and he works hard.

“In a different context, he is a pleasant man.

“And in all my time doing this job, I have never seen two parties so distrusting of each other.

“Mr Fraga is undoubtedly a good father, and a restraining order is not necessary has there have been no issues in three years.”

Fraga, of Winchester Road, Southampton, pleaded not guilty to one charge of harassment without violence in 2023, but was found guilty of the offence in October of last year.

He was handed a 12-month community order and must complete up to 27 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Fraga must also complete 120 hours of unpaid work and pay £650 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.