A WOMAN was left fearing for her safety as her "jealous" ex kicked her car and windows.

A court heard how Darryl Cartwright waited in the woman's garden, shouting "open the door" when she arrived home. 

The police were called and the woman hid from the 37-year-old until they arrived. 

But Southampton Crown Court was told that when he started kicking her car, she became "worried and fearful" for her safety. 

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Prosecuting, Francisca Da Costa said: “On Easter Sunday this year, the complainant arrived home with her friend.

“She saw the defendant outside in her rear garden, where he was shouting at her to open the door.

“She heard him banging her vehicle outside, he was kicking the car several times.”

The incident followed an incident last August which saw Cartwright making "jealous comments" to the victim before striking her right eye with the back of his hand.

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In a statement read out at his sentencing, the woman said Cartwright had been "drunk and aggressive".

"This has left me feeling worried and fearful for my personal safety.

"This behaviour is not wanted. I do not wish for any contact in any matter whatsoever.

“I dread to think what might have happened had the police not arrived so quickly.”

Cartwright, who had previously breached his restraining order, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the vehicle in April.

Mitigating, Ruba Huleihel said he does not have "the right tools to express himself" but urged the court to consider a suspended sentence.

She said: “There’s no doubt he has behaved appallingly.

“There are rare moments when a person decides to change their behaviour, and that moment has arrived for Mr Cartwright.

“He has told me he is extremely remorseful, and he believes his behaviour was stupid.”

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But the judge, Brian Forster KC said "there can be no excuse" for his behaviour.

“Mr Cartwright should be appreciating the relationships he still has and not backhanding his former partner.

“You have come back to court again and you seem not to learn from your experiences here.

“You are fortunate to be represented by your barrister today. She has fought on your behalf.”

He was handed an 11 month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He must also undertake 120 hours unpaid work and a Building Better Relationships programme.