A WOMAN was left “frightened to leave the house” after she was harassed by her former partner for eight years, a court heard.

Andrew Roe carried out a “sustained” attack of harassment that made his ex feel “scared” when opening her front door.

The 37-year-old admitted breaching a restraining order made by Southampton Magistrates’ Court five times, including continually visiting her home address.

Roe pleaded not guilty but was later found guilty during a trial at the same court.

Southampton Crown Court heard that during 2017, Roe breached the order by sending unwanted messages and communications.

In one instance on November 30, 2016, he visited the victim’s home before shouting through her letter box demanded to be let in.

In other situations, Roe would ride his pedal bike along her road, which he was prohibited from doing.

In an impact statement read to the court by prosecutor Lucy Conroy, the victim said: “I feel I can’t go out of my flats...I am frightened he will enter my home at night.

“I took this restraining order out in the hope to stop the problem but it has not stopped him.”

The court heard that Roe’s offending against his partner began eight years ago and since then he has received numerous chances to try and stop his offending.

Mitigating, Jamie Gammon told the court that although Roe admitted the breaches, they did not cause “significant psychological harm” to the victim.

Recorder Jane Rowley said Roe had been a “bully” in his harassment and that she had been harmed as a result of his actions.

Roe, of Cuckmere Lane, Southampton, admitted breaching the restraining order five times.

He was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment.