Man harassed ex-partner and said he would 'terrorise' her grandma, Leeds Crown Court told

Gareth Milton of Grove Lea Crescent Pontefract, had been in a relationship with the woman for around five years until February 2020, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Deborah Smithies, prosecuting, said: "She described in the last couple of years he was violent towards her.

"There was manipulative behaviour which escalated to assaults."

Miss Smithies said the woman gave birth to Milton's son last July, after the relationship had ended.

Arrangements were made for Milton, 37, to contact her via third parties only.

The woman had blocked Milton's phone number but he called her from an unknown mobile number on September 30.

Miss Smithies said that over a 24 hour period from September 30, Milton called her 52 times asking to go to her home to see their son.

Miss Smithies said when the woman told him to arrange contact via social services he became angry and said "watch what happens."

The court heard the woman was woken early by her baby son crying on October 23 and heard a knock at the door.

It was Milton, who came into the house and picked the baby up.

Miss Smithies said: "With the baby still in his arms the defendant hit the living room door."

The court heard the woman then took the baby from Milton.

Miss Smithies said: "The defendant went into the kitchen and kicked a bin, causing damage to that. He went back to the living room and damaged a glass table."

Miss Smithies said Milton then told the woman: "I'm going up to your grandma's. I'm going to terrorise your grandma."

The woman changed her address and her phone number, but was still receiving calls from Milton.

He also called the landline at her business in Pontefract and turned up at the premises and behaved aggressively on October 30.

Miss Smithies said that on November 1 Milton called the woman's mother and "made remarks of a threatening nature."

Milton admitted harassment and three charges of criminal damage

Milton has six previous convictions for eight offences, including assault, resisting arrest and battery.

Eleanor Gleeson, mitigating, said: "He has expressed remorse. He recognises the impact of his offending. He is sorry for the distress he has caused her."

Miss Gleeson said one of Milton's friends took his own life six years ago and he is still affected by that.

She said he is a model prisoner at HMP Leeds in Armley and has been offered a job on his release installing fibre optic cable across West Yorkshire.

Recorder Marco Giuliani jailed Milton for 16 months and imposed a restraining order banning Milton indefinitely from contacting the woman, her mother and grandmother.