A MAN has been banned from entering Southampton for five years after committing a string of offences against his ex-partner.
Lukasz Olech left his native Poland, abandoning his wife, and travelled to the UK to pursue a relationship with a woman he had met online.
The affair fizzled out but Olech refused to accept that the relationship was over.
He was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking, criminal damage, illegally possessing a knife, and assault.
Judge Brian Forster QC told him: "You left your family, having formed a new relationship over the Internet, and came to England.
"The relationship did not work out and you came before the court following serious allegations arising from the break-up."
Judge Forster said Olech assaulted the woman becoming abusive and slapping her "with a lot of force".
He told the 36-year-old defendant: "You wanted to pursue the relationship but she did not.
"You repeatedly contacted the complainant. You sent her messages, some of which were amicable but some contained violent threats. It seems you have difficulty controlling your emotions relating to the ending of the relationship."
Olech, who has spent the past four months on remand, was not legally represented in court.
Probation officials said the defendant "really regretted" his decision to pursue the relationship and wished he had stayed at home with his wife.
Olech, of Hewitts Road, Southampton, was jailed for a total of 14 months, suspended for 18 months.
The defendant, who told the court he was moving to Bognor Regis to live with his brother, was banned from entering Southampton as part of a five-year restraining order.
Judge Forster told him: "I'm trying to keep you away from any possible problem."
Olech was barred from having any contact with the complainant except through solicitors. He will be allowed to visit Southampton only for pre-arranged meetings with police and his legal advisors.
The judge said: "You must give priority to working with the probation service. It's not a take it or leave it order - you have to go to appointments.
"You need to move forward with your life."
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