A STALKER who was imprisoned after he was branded a 'high risk' to his ex-girlfriend has been released early from his jail term, a court heard.

Trevor Redman, 56, of Earley, subjected his ex, Sarah Hambleton, to a terrifying harassment campaign after they split up in 2013.

He sent hundreds of text messages, damaged her car, watched her house and repeatedly turned up wherever she was.

He was seen on CCTV around her house at night and, on one occasion walked past her as she arrived home at 4.15am.

Redman offended repeatedly while on bail and was eventually jailed for two years at Reading Crown Court last October after admitting stalking.

On Thursday, he was due to appeal his sentence via a video link from prison - but shocked the Court of Appeal when he appeared sitting in the public gallery.

His lawyers said he had been released on a home detention curfew - despite it being only about five months since he was sentenced.

He proceeded with his appeal - which could have seen his curfew removed - but had his sentence upheld by judges.

Mr Justice Openshaw said a probation officer who assessed Redman, of Henley Wood Road, found him to be a "high risk of serious harm" to Ms Hambleton.

He had claimed not to even remember their relationship, suggesting amnesia might have been a coping mechanism after their split.

But the judge said he had been guilty of a serious series of incidents of harassment against her.

"All this has had a devastating effect on her," he added.

"She feels unsafe in her house and was understandably fearful of going out alone."

The judge, sitting with Lord Justice Jackson and Judge Stephen Kramer QC, rejected claims that Redman's mental health difficulties mitigated his case.

On the contrary, it made him more dangerous, said Mr Justice Openshaw.

"His mental condition increased the risk to which she is exposed," he said.

"The upshot is that, for this series of acts of harassment, many in breach of bail, we are quite unable to say that the sentence was in any way excessive."

His appeal was dismissed.