Stalker smashed windows at estranged wife's home in Leeds and bombarded her with abusive voicemails

Dean Simpson was returned to jail for two and a half years for tormenting his former partner of 13 years at her home in Belle Isle.

Leeds Crown Court heard how the couple have a daughter together but split up five years ago due to his drinking.

Simpson, 49, turned up at the woman's home on July 12 this year, days after being released from custody.

Heather Gilmore, prosecuting, said the defendant kicked the front door until it broke and rang the doorbell.

The victim could hear Simpson's voice outside and their daughter was screaming inside the property.

He also spat on another window and wrote 'sl*g' with his finger.

Ms Gilmour said the woman spoke to police and went to stay with a relative.

Two days later she received a phone call from a neighbour who told her that Simpson was in her garden throwing a bottle into the air.

Police were called to the property and informed her that more windows had been smashed

Simpson returned to the house again the next day.

The victim heard a thud against a bedroom window and looked out to see Simpson walking down an alleyway at the side of her home.

Miss Gilmore said Simpson was arrested nearby and said to police officers: "Is this about some windows being smashed? There will be some more windows smashed soon."

Simpson also left abusive and threatening voicemail messages on the victim's phone.

In one message he called her a 'tramp' and also told her to 'drop dead'.

She also said she struggled to sleep and had suffered depression and anxiety.

She said: "If he ever had an ounce of care for me he wouldn't put us through this."

"He has shown time and time again that he cannot act like a normal, reasonable adult."

Simpson, of Harlech Road, Beeston, pleaded guilty to stalking, two counts of criminal damage and one of attempted criminal damage.

He has 49 convictions for 184 offences including criminal damage, drink-driving and public order breaches.

Simpson also has convictions for breaching restraining orders banning him from contacting his former partner and his parents.

Adrian Pollard, mitigating, said Simpson was sorry for the upset and distress he had caused the victim and their daughter.

He said: "As a sober man, on reflection, he is more able to understand that.

"He still cares for (the victim) but his behaviour and how it manifests itself is appalling to say the least.

"It's not how anyone should behave.

"He recognises that it will be a custodial sentence."

Sentencing Simpson, Judge Simon Batiste: "You have a truly dreadful record of previous convictions for harassment and breaching restraining orders relating to the same complainant.

"The damage caused by behaviour of that sort on a nine-year-old girl is incalculable.

"You profess to want a role in her life. All you are doing is driving her away from you and doing terrible damage to her psychologically."

Judge Batiste continued: "You have shown no remorse for what you have done despite your guilty plea.

"Even in interview you said that you hoped the complainant would drop dead."