A MAN was jailed for two years yesterday after terrorising his former partner when she ended their relationship.

The judge also made an order banning Michael Burke, 32, from having any contact with Sarah Hodgson for five years.

Teesside Crown Court was told that Burke, from Stockton, punched and kicked her in front of their four children and then repeatedly broke into her home to harass her.

On one occasion, he broke in while she was in bed and, when he left, took the backdoor keys, said Nigel Wray, prosecuting.

The couple had been together for 11 years when they separated in February, said Mr Wray.

Shortly after midnight on June 9 she returned to her home, also in Stockton, from a barbecue to find Burke in the garden. He swore and demanded to know where she had been.

Mr Wray said: "He pulled her to the ground in front of their children, the eldest aged ten, and punched and kicked her to the head and body causing a cut to her left ear."

Burke followed her into the house and apologised. She went to bed but he was still there in the morning and refused to let her or the children leave.

He was arrested and said he had been drinking heavily for days. He was released on bail on condition he did not pester her, but continued the harassment.

Nigel Soppitt, in mitgation, said Burke was unable to cope with the break-up and had turned to drink.

Burke, of Durham Road, Stockton, admitted assault and harassment in June and July.