A man in France was sent to prison Thursday after calling and texting his ex-girlfriend 21,807 times over the course of 10 months.

The barrage amounted to more than 70 messages and calls a day.

The unnamed defendant, a 33-year-old man from Rhone in southern France, began to harass the victim, a 32-year-old teacher, after she broke off the relationship in 2011, according to the Guardian which reported the story on Friday.

The man, who has been hospitalized for depression in the past, said he could not accept the break up. He was apparently demanding the victim thank him for doing chores around their apartment.

"At the time, my logic was that as long as she does not return my money, pay me for my work or at least tell me thank you, I would not stop my calls," he said. "Looking back, it was stupid."

Manuella Spee, a lawyer for the man's ex-girlfriend, said the victim couldn't escape the harassment.

"She tried to block her line, but he phoned her parents instead and her workplace," the lawyer said.

The defendant did not stop calling the victim until she finally thanked him for the housework in a meeting organized by a mediator. He has not contacted the victim since.

The man was sentenced to ten months in prison and an almost $13,000 fine. He has accepted responsibility for the calls and will undergo psychiatric treatment as part of his sentence.