A local judge ruled that a message from 22-year-old Bilal Azougagh, which contained only a cartoon icon representing a gun (see right), could be interpreted as a death threat.

The ex-girlfriend’s lawyer argued that the message gave her nightmares and left her afraid to go out by herself.

Counsel for Azougagh argued that a contextless image would not have such a strong effect.

He lost the case and was sentenced to six months in jail with three months suspended, and ordered to pay €1,000 to his victim.

The maximum penalty for death threats in France is three years of prison and up to €45,000 in damages.