A HAMPSHIRE man has been jailed for 21 months for terrorising his girlfriend and threatening to burn down a farm.

Michael Stimson flew into a series of drunken rages, repeatedly assaulting the woman and damaging her property after accusing her of cheating on him.

He also threatened to torch a farm used by Steve Turner in a dispute over payment for work he had done.

The domestic abuse suffered by the victim was revealed at Southampton Crown Court.

Describing two of the offences Alec Williams, prosecuting, said Stimson returned to her home and dragged her out of bed, punching and slapping her before damaging her car the next day.

On another occasion Stimson slapped her, spat in her face and bit her right arm.

Mr Williams added that the defendant also embarked on a campaign of harassment, telephoning her 83 times on one morning alone.

In a victim impact statement she said: “I feel broken.

“He (Stimson) started to get paranoid and accused me of cheating on him.

"Why would I cheat when I thought I had found The One.”

Describing the impact of his violent behaviour she said: “I don’t feel safe in my own home. I have nightmares about him all the time.

“I wish he was the kind, loving man he was at the beginning.”

Stimson, 36, of Ladycross Road, Hythe, admitted assault, harassment, criminal damage and making malicious and threatening calls. He also admitted breaching a suspended sentence imposed for two unrelated offences of assault and criminal damage.

Aleksander Lloyd, defending, described his client as having a “troubled past and a troubling relationship with alcohol”.

Judge Nicholas Rowland said Stimson was a “Jekyll and Hyde” character who had assaulted previous partners and even members of his own family.

He told him: “You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. I’m sure you are when you are sober.”