A jilted ex-boyfriend "terrorised" his former partner so much that she was scared to return to her home.

Lee Coombes has been jailed for two years after sending dozens of threatening messages that left his victim "petrified".

The 33-year-old, of Sandleaze in Worton near Devizes, fell out with his ex on Valentine's Day last year and then spent seven months repeatedly contacting her by email, Facebook, and Snapchat, and calling from withheld numbers.

He made threatening and abusive comments, requested to meet up at a hotel, and asked intrusive personal questions.

Appearing at Swindon Crown Court on Monday, Coombes pleaded guilty to stalking involving serious alarm or distress and breaching a restraining order.

The court was told that, on one occasion, he indirectly threatened to send an explicit photo of his victim to a relative.

Robin Shellard KC, prosecuting, said: "She also heard they were planning to break into her house and assault her new partner by damaging his kneecaps with a baton.

"She was completely worn out and worn down by the effects of the continuing contact. This persistent breach caused serious harm and distress."

Swindon Advertiser: Lee CoombesLee Coombes (Image: Wiltshire Police)

Coombes' criminal record includes 13 convictions for 18 offences, such as battery, failing to comply with court orders, criminal damage, common assault, using violence to enter premises, and harassment.

He has previously been convicted of harassing two former partners and has had three stints behind bars in the last two years.

In autumn 2022, Coombes resumed a consensual relationship with his victim, who had asked for the restraining order to be removed.

They met in person on February 14, 2023, when they fell out and he was subsequently charged with breaching his restraining order.

Before these latest proceedings, his victim had moved to live with a relative.

Emma Handslip, defending, said that while remanded in custody, Coombes has made efforts to improve his temperament.

She added: "The death of his mother was a turning point. He knows he's the black sheep of the family and thinks he had not done enough to make her proud.

"He made her a promise that he would stop this behaviour. He wants to change."

Judge Jason Taylor KC felt that Coombes posed a danger to the public, particularly past and future partners.

He said: "They fell out on Valentine's Day. He should have thought 'enough is enough' and he didn't.

"She was petrified, she felt terrorised - in her words - and she is not able to go back to her own home because of the fear of you.

"You persisted in contact knowing that contact was unwanted."