is it possible to trace someone from a hotmail address as i had a stranger add me to msn messenger and just gave me loads of abuse they seem to know me pretty well now they have sent abusive emails,not bothered about the emails but realy would like to know who it is

Don't think it's possible to trace someone from the e-mail address, but reporting the abuse to Hotmail, will hopefully mean that the account will be cancelled.

However, that does not stop this person just opening up another free e-mail account elsewhere, and carry on.

Have you looked at the message source to find the IP address? If you can find out who is the ISP, then you could report the abuse to them, with the IP address.

In the meantime, block and delete this person on Messenger (make sure you block before you delete), and that way that person won't be able to abuse you there. In the future, don't accept anyone you don't know on to your Contact List. Make a note of their e-mail address, and e-mail them from a disposable addy of your own, and ask them who they are. If they refuse to answer, but you start getting abuse on the disposable e-mail addy, just delete that account.