Matthew Baughan of Hythe jailed for 18 months at Southampton Crown Court for stalking former partner

A MAN who threatened to kill his former partner and throw acid in her face has been jailed.

Matthew Baughan (34), of Waterside in Hythe, committed the offences against his victim, who was from New Milton, between May and December last year.

Southampton Crown Court heard he loitered in alleys near her home, made her feel “worthless” by calling her names, and repeatedly threatened violence. He also smashed a window at her property.

Prosecutor Martyn Booth told the court the defendant had been in an “up and down” relationship with the victim for around two years before the first incident on 11th May, which saw him follow her to a nearby park and then “for the duration of the day”, hurl abuse and spit at her.

Mr Booth said when Baughan threatened to take her daughter away, she slapped him, prompting him to punch her “squarely to the face”, knocking her out.

Baughan would regularly sleep in the communal area of the victim’s flat and loiter in alleys and sheds near the property, and would “appear out of nowhere”, the court heard.

He also sent “constant” unwanted voicemails and text messages which were “very unpleasant”, and threatened to throw acid in her face, the court heard.

On 9th August the victim spotted him outside her flat screaming and, as she called the police, he let himself in the communal door. He then laid down on her doormat and pretended to be asleep, leaving before officers arrived.

He was arrested a short time later, and in interview said he was “very drunk at the time”.

The court heard on 29th December the defendant turned up at her flat again, smashed the door glass and pushed his head through. He left before police arrived, but later told her in a phone call he would return “knifed up”.

He also told her: “You’re f****** dead. I’ll take your kids off you, you’re done.”

In a victim impact statement, the woman said Baughan’s behaviour had a “profound” effect on her and had left her feeling on edge whenever she left her home.

Baughan pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to stalking, using violence to gain access to a premises, and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause fear of violence.

The court heard he has previous convictions for violence, burglary, public disorder and breaching a restraining order.

Defending, Sarah Brown told the court her client had “clear mental health difficulties”, adding: “He has difficulties with the ability to process relationships and conflict properly, and he uses alcohol to help him cope.”

There had been a period of four to five years where he had been stable and not offended, she added.

Having been in custody since 31st December, she urged Judge Nicholas Rowland to impose a suspended sentence, adding it would give him the opportunity to be supported through his problems by his family.

However, Judge Rowland said his behaviour was “persistent” and had been “too serious” for anything other than an immediate jail term.

Sentencing him to 18 months and imposing a three-year restraining order, he said Baughan had already been subject to two alcohol support courses through the court. He told him: “There is only so much that we can do. You’ve got to help yourself.”