A MAN who held his ex-partner in her own home and assaulted both her and her new boyfriend has been jailed for 12 months.

Liam Swift committed the offences over three days in late June and early July, just weeks after he received a community order for harassing and assaulting the same woman.

Durham Crown Court heard it happened in the months after the break-up of their four-year relationship, in February.

Rachel Hedworth, prosecuting, said Swift appeared in court on June 10 after admitting two counts of common assault and one of harassment, of his ex-partner.

Miss Hedworth said this included punching the woman, leading to her falling against a garden gate, causing swellings and bruising.

Magistrates passed a community order, with 100-hours’ unpaid work, but less than three weeks later Swift turned up unexpectedly at her Peterlee home.

When his former partner told him she did not want him in the house, a row developed, leading to a struggle in which he tried to take the door keys.

Miss Hedworth said Swift bit her thumb and forearm, as well as briefly taking her mobile phone, in the melee.

Two days later, following a “chance meeting” in Peterlee town centre, Swift threatened his ex’s new boyfriend, before pursuing him up a supermarket elevator and punching him several times.

Later the same day, there was a further confrontation at his former partner’s home, in which he tried to prevent her leaving, and when she did briefly get out, he dragged her back indoors by her hair.

When a police officer arrived, Swift was arrested after being abusive and struggling with a constable.

Miss Hedworth said Swift later conceded his behaviour was, “totally and utterly unacceptable”, expressing remorse.

The 23-year-old defendant, of Polden Close, Peterlee, admitted three counts of common assault and one of false imprisonment.

Ian Hudson, mitigating, said: “We have a man, previously lightly convicted, who made immediate admissions.

“He’s lost his job and been remanded in custody for 40 days, which has been a salutary experience, but he has expressed his genuine remorse.”

Mr Hudson added that the offences were “spur of the moment” incidents, which were not committed under the influence of drink or drugs.

Imposing a one-year prison sentence, Judge Christopher Prince told Swift that anyone using violence in such situations would end up serving immediate terms of custody.

He also made him subject of an unlimited restraining order preventing him from trying to contact his ex-partner.