A FURIOUS New Forest man attacked his ex-girlfriend after finding texts on her phone which led him to believe she had cheated on him.

Stephen Scaum, from Parish Court in Lymington, struck his former partner with a phone as she slept after he discovering texts which led him to believe she had slept with another man.

The 25-year-old also sent her threatening messages, damaged her home and spat at her.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of battery, one of criminal damage and another under the Communications Act.

Southampton Magistrates Court heard he had been in a relationship with his victim for five years and had reacted when he found her phone and read messages on it.

Prosecuting, Natalie Angel said how events unfolded on December 31 last year in Long Lane, Holbury.

Ms Angel said: “She was woken up by her mobile phone hitting her as the defendant was hurling abuse. He said he had found texts which indicated she had been sleeping around.”

The court heard the victim left the home and returned the following morning to be greeted by more abuse and anger as the defendant damaged furniture, and also grabbed her by the throat and tore a necklace from her.

He then spat at her and, after he left, he sent a number of abusive text messages.

In a victim statement his ex girlfriend said her relationship with the defendant was on-and-off and she had felt too scared to leave him, and called for an injunction against him.

The court heard Scaum had a previous conviction for battery and a previous restraining order against him.

In mitigation Kathryn Chapman, defending Scaum, said he was working to improve his anger issues, and accepts the relationship is over.

Judge Lorraine Morgan sentenced Scaum to a total of 24 weeks in jail for the offences.

He will be released on licence once half of that has been served and then subject to supervision in the community for 12 months.

Scaum was given a restraining order against contacting his ex-girlfriend, and ordered to pay £620 costs and a surcharge of £115.