A MAN has been jailed for 16 weeks after damaging a property and threatening to kill someone who witnessed the incident.

Todd Cooper, 26, of Thorney Hill, Bransgore, was sent to prison after he pleaded guilty to a number of offences committed in Sway and New Milton.

All the crimes took place between September 8 and October 8 last year.

Cooper pleaded guilty to one count of assault, two counts of using abusive or threatening behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress, and one count of causing criminal damage.

He was jailed after appearing at Southampton Magistrates' Court.

A police spokesperson said: "Cooper assaulted a woman at an address in Sway before making threats to harm the victim almost a month later following a chance encounter.

"The court also heard that Cooper caused damage to a property at an address in Gore Road, New Milton – and made threats to kill another victim after they had witnessed the incident.

"Cooper pleaded guilty to all of these offences and was handed a 16-week imprisonment."

The head of New Forest police, Chief Inspector Helen Andrews, added: “We are pleased that justice has been served.

"This is a great result for those individuals who have been personally affected by the crimes committed by Cooper. We hope that this will go some way to comfort them.

“We are thankful to all of those officers involved in bringing these charges to court and playing a key role in stopping his offending.

"No one should be abused in their own home or made to feel threatened and fearful for their life while out in public.

"We hope this sends out a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated and that those who commit them will face the full extent of the law."