A JEALOUS ex-partner who twice attacked his former girlfriend in front of their three-year-old son has narrowly avoided an immediate jail sentence.

Matthew Lloyd refused to accept that the relationship with Hayley Arnell was over and assaulted her in her own home as the little boy looked on.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that on one occasion the child said: “Don’t worry mummy, I’ll save you.”

Natalie Angel, prosecuting, told the court that the first attack took place when Lloyd made a pre-arranged visit to see his son.

She said the defendant snatched Ms Arnell’s mobile phone before grabbing her hair and pushing her to the floor, causing her to bruise her back.

Lloyd, 32, formerly of Queensway, Southampton, told her: “Go away or I’m going to punch you.”

Ms Angel said the defendant briefly locked her outside the house before hurling her phone against the wall, smashing the screen. He then punched her on the chin.

A few days later she received a series of threatening messages on her phone, one of which said: “I’m looking for you.”

On another occasion, the court heard, he gained entry to her home and again punched her in the face before driving off in her car.

In a victim impact statement Ms Arnell said: “I no longer feel safe in my house. Matthew wants to break me down until I get back with him, but I want nothing to do with him.”

Julie Macey, in mitigation, said Lloyd had spent time in prison but had kept out of trouble since 2014.

She added: “He’s very remorseful and regrets these incidents. He accepts they were the result of his jealousy and his inability to accept that the relationship was over.”

Lloyd admitted assault, criminal damage, sending offensive messages, taking a vehicle without consent, driving with no insurance and driving without a licence.

The defendant, now living at Blackferriers Walk, Southsea, was jailed for a total of 26 weeks, suspended for two years, and banned from driving for six months.

He was also told to complete 80 hours of unpaid work as well as paying £85 in costs and £350 compensation to Ms Arnell.

District Judge Lorraine Morgan told him he had carried out an “horrendous” catalogue of domestic violence and abuse.

She added: “It occurred in your victim’s home, where she was entitled to feel safe, and in the presence of your child. These are matters for which you could have been sent straight to prison.”