A man targeted his former partner in a persistent campaign of harassment - complete with threats, violence and a burglary in which he stole tens of thousands of pounds worth of jewellery.

Aaron King, 30, of Rainbow Park, Winnersh, appeared before Reading Crown Court today (May 9).

He had previously pleaded guilty on five charges of criminal damage, and on one count each of threatening to damage property, sending a threatening communication, burglary, common assault and assault occasioning ABH.

The court heard that, in July 2023, the defendant burgled his ex-partner's house and stole £35,000 worth of rings.

In the same raid, he took sensitive birth, death and marriage certificates from the property.

He then called the woman and made a number of threats - including that he would burn her house down.

The situation escalated in November, when King approached his ex-partner and a man at a pub. He threw a drink at the woman and punched the man, leaving him with cuts to his nose and lip.

The following month, King went to the home of the mother of another ex-partner and damaged vehicles belonging to her. This left the mother with a repairs bill totalling over £1,500.

In a statement read in court by prosecuting barrister Lauren Jones, one of King's victims said: "Since those events, I've felt intimidated, incredibly vulnerable.

"I've seen him [King] outside the house, and I feel like I can't forget that he is there."

However, despite the financial and personal fallout caused to King's victims - and despite the persistence of his offending - Recorder Sunaina Srai-Chohan decided against jailing the defendant.

This came after she heard evidence of King's mental health struggles, including the fact he had been diagnosed with ADHD and depression.

Defence barrister Laban Leake said: "He is extremely remorseful for the pain and suffering he caused."

Instead, the defendant was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 24 months.

He will have to carry out 10 days of rehabilitation activities, participate for 30 days in an accredited programme and seek treatment for alcoholism.

In addition, King has been ordered to pay his victims a total of £650.

The judge said: "I have real concerns about your offending, Mr King. But I believe there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation."