A MAN who has not been able to “let go” of a woman he had a short relationship with five years ago has been handed an indefinite restraining order.

Terry Waymark, of Landguard Road, Southampton was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to breaching a non-molestation order, made for a former lover.

Southampton Crown Court heard the 35-year-old sent the woman a friend request on Facebook in April, despite court orders banning him from contacting her in any way.

Prosecuting, Edward Phillips said although it was a minor breach Waymark had previously been convicted for sending her letters threatening to kill her and burn her solicitor’s office down, making it more severe.

He added the order was put in place initially for two years in 2012 but was extended and was due to expire in August.

Mr Phillips said Waymark breached the order on three occasions in its first two years. Two of these breaches were to do with letters addressed to the woman and her solicitor which said: “I will set light to your office, you will get what is coming to you.

"I am going to kill you.”

The court heard Waymark, who has a previous conviction for arson, was jailed for three years for the offence at the time.

Mr Phillips said the defendant had a number of other separate previous convictions on his record, including for harassment.

He added, in a totally different case involving a different victim he threatened to slit a woman’s throat and burn down her friend’s house with her friend inside.

Defending, Gemma White said Waymark had paid for his past mistakes and was not in court to be punished for them again.

She added Waymark had difficulties particularly when it came to relationships.

“In order to stop this behaviour he needs to address it. This is going to be a continuing cycle unless it is broken,” she added.

Judge Christopher Parker said Waymark had a long history of anti-social behaviour, including for theft and impersonating a police officer. He added by sending the friend request he intended to frighten the woman.

“The offence itself on the face of things is relatively minor but was built on what you have done in the past,” Judge Parker said.

“It is obvious you have some physiological disturbance.”

“You will not let her go but you need to let her go and you need to start now.”