A MOTHER-of-four had to go into hiding after her former husband waged a year-long campaign of terror against her, a court was told yesterday.

Clare Amos, 42, of Darlington, was subjected to months of harassment and abuse at the hands of her ex-partner, Gary, who threatened to kill her.

Teesside Crown Court heard that on one occasion Amos broke into his ex-wife's home and left a hate message pinned to her door with an axe.

The 45-year-old smashed windows at her home and at the cafe Mrs Amos owned with a friend, in Neasham Road, Darlington.

He also made several death threats towards her and pushed petrol-soaked notes through her front door.

The cafe owner was so frightened by his behaviour that she changed the locks at her home in Victoria Embankment and installed a panic alarm.

Later, she had to be moved to a secret location with the children in order to avoid the abuse.

In November last year, Amos apologised for his behaviour - but later visited the house demanding money and he was arrested by the police for harassment.

There were also more episodes in front of the children, involving family and friends.

On one occasion, he smashed windows at the home of a friend of Mrs Amos as she and the children wept hysterically inside.

Sarah Mallett, prosecuting, said that Amos blamed his ex-wife for his financial problems.

But when he was interviewed by police, it became clear that he could not cope with the loss of his business, marriage and family, the court heard.

Judge Guy Whitburn was shown a number of frightening and abusive letters which Amos had sent to Mrs Amos, as well as a diary that she had kept.

The judge said: "It must have been very distressing for her to receive such letters."

Last month, Amos breached his bail conditions by entering Darlington on his motorcycle.

He sprayed graffiti on Mrs Amos's Sierra car with the words "drugs" and "drugs cafe".

James Withyman, defending, said he had accused his ex-wife of not looking after him when he was seriously ill, which had caused his business to fail.

He said he would never hurt Mrs Amos even though he had threatened her.

Amos, who lived in a caravan park in Reeth Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to harassment.

However, he was spared prison after doctors said that it would make him a suicide risk.

Judge Whitburn said: "There was so much hostility, anger and threats."

He imposed an order restraining him from communicating directly or indirectly with his former wife and children, and told him he would jail him for 15 months if he broke the order.