Daniel Santana, 23, of 65 Bates Crescent, Croydon, was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court after pleading guilty to sending two anonymous threatening and highly offensive letters to Mark Bradshaw and Craig Rees.

Lincolnshire Crown Prosecution Service lawyer Mark Holmes said: "They were made up of lettering cut from magazines and made derogatory references to their sexuality.

"We regard homophobic crimes as particularly serious because they are motivated by prejudice, discrimination and hate, and undermine people's right to feel safe in their sexual orientation and gender."

Santana was prosecuted under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 for putting people in fear of violence by harassment.

Mr Holmes said: "This is a serious charge and reflects the very serious threats made in the letters of a threat to kill and maim. The homophobic content of the letters was an aggravating factor and made this a particularly unpleasant crime motivated by prejudice.

"Mark and Craig had been partners for three and a half years. In February this year Craig hanged himself. Mr Bradshaw believes that the devastation caused by the letters was a significant factor in his partner's decision to take his own life."