A YOUNG man from a village near Winchester has been jailed for stalking and then attacking his girlfriend he accused of being unfaithful.

Kieran Stonier, 23, of Fraser Road, Kings Worthy, bombarded the woman with around 900 calls and text messages over 17 days in December and January, a court heard.

On January 6 he got into her home when she was sleeping and assaulted her as well as smashing her TV, said Ieuan Callaghan, prosecuting, at Winchester Crown Court.

The attack happened at a property in Springvale Road, Kings Worthy, the court heard.

He admitted stalking, assault and criminal damage, as well as breaching a suspended sentence order.

READ MORE HERE: Another attempt to relet long-empty Winchester pub 

Mitigating Tom Ackworth said: "This is a case of a young man who has a lot of growing up to do. He needs to work on his ability to control himself. To say he is immature might be to underestimate things.

"Since he has been on remand he has abstained from cocaine and alcohol, contributory factors in the disgraceful way he behaved towards his girlfriend."

Whilst in Winchester Prison Stonier has used his time to work on qualifications.

"He is extremely fortunate in having the support of his family. His father is in court and he has a good relationship with his mother. He has worked in the past and has the opportunity to work in the future.

SEE MORE: Backing for large solar farm plan near Winchester

"He recognises that the relationship has come to an end. He behaved badly. He must not see her again, he knows that. He does not oppose any restraining order."

Sentencing, Judge Richard Parkes KC said the victim's impact statement said the relationship had been going well until just before last Christmas when Stonier accused her of being unfaithful.

"Over 17 days you sent something like 900 messages or calls. Their content was largely the same accusing her time after time after time of being unfaithful to you.

"You turned up at her house in the middle of the night when she was asleep. You accused her of sleeping with other men, threatening her and she was frightened of you."

READ ALSO: More city centre bollards getting artistic makeover

The judge jailed Stonier for 14 months. He imposed a two-month sentence for the stalking, assault and criminal damage and activated 12 months of a suspended 14-month sentence imposed in 2021 for drug dealing. A court heard that Stonier had fled his home in his underpants after the police called, only to be arrested by two officers waiting at the back of the property.

Stonier had only done one hour of unpaid work of a 200-hour community service, the court heard.

The judge also added a five-year restraining order banning any contact with the woman or going to Springvale Road in Kings Worthy.