A violent stalker who broke into his ex-partner’s house in the middle of the night to attack her, has been jailed for less than two years.

John Cross, 35, chased the woman upstairs into her property in Clifton, Bristol, on 25 September last year.

He dragged her to the floor, stamped on her chest, kicked her ribs and punched her repeatedly in the face, before fleeing. The woman was taken to hospital and treated for bruising and swelling.

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It was the second time in the space of three days he had attacked her.

On 23 February he locked her out of her own home and ambushed her when she came through the back door.

She had ended her relationship with Cross in August 2020, following a string of violent incidents, but he would not leave her alone, Nottingham Crown Court was told.

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Cross, of Fletcher Terrace, Mapperley, pleaded guilty to assault by occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating, two counts of criminal damage and four breaches of a restraining order.

He was sentenced this week to one year and nine months in jail.

A restraining order has been issued for 10 years.

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Detective Sergeant Hannah Frame, of Nottinghamshire Police said: “Cross subjected his victim to a string of horrifying ordeals over the years and it’s very fortunate she has not been more seriously hurt.

“He showed a complete disregard and lack of respect the courts by breaching his restraining order and then committing these violent attacks.

“I hope the positive action taken in this case reassures people that we take breaches of restraining orders extremely seriously.

“Finally. I’d like to commend the victim in this case for her bravery and hope she is now able to start to move on with her life now that Cross is safely behind bars.”

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Nottinghamshire Police said it treats domestic abuse extremely seriously and encouraged anyone affected to contact the force by calling 101. Anyone who is in danger should call 999.

The force has raised awareness of the Silent Solution police system, which people can use to report an emergency when it’s not safe for them to speak.

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