A JILTED lover has been warned he faces five years in jail if he breaks a restraining order imposed for harassing his former partner.

Stephen Reddington, 33, of Ruskin Road, Darlington, was spared prison yesterday because he has not bothered former lover Heather Kirby since last summer.

Judge Les Spittle told him his "thoroughly reprehensible" crimes had crossed the custody threshold, but acknowledged the changes he had made to his life.

Reddington admitted charges of harassment, a burglary at Ms Kirby's home and carrying a kitchen knife in a public place.

He was given an 18-month community rehabilitation order, 200-hour community punishment order and a 12-month conditional discharge as well as the restraining order.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Reddington has previous convictions for 39 offences, including assaulting a police officer, disorderly behaviour, dishonesty, common assault and interfering with cars.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said his latest crimes were committed after his four-year relationship came to an end last summer and he had difficulties accepting the split and the loss of his two-year-old daughter.

On July 17, he smashed his way into Ms Kirby's home while she was in bed, and assaulted her as she tried to flee, before stealing a pair of training shoes, rings and earrings.

Reddington fled before the police arrived, but returned and broke in and was abusive to his former partner and her teenage sister.

He was later arrested and bailed, but warned not to approach Ms Kirby or go near the Red Hall estate.

On July 26, however, he forced the living room window of her home and cut telephone wires before leaving a note on the bed saying "Stephen loves Heather".