A “DEDICATED criminal” has been jailed for stalking his former partner.

Thomas Harvey, 27, of no fixed abode, left his former partner “unnerved” and “not able to sleep at night” after following her in her car, and then ramming into her parked car just days later.

The complainant had broken up with Harvey in 2019, and the pair had a child together.

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On April 7, the complainant was driving on Church Street in Abertridwr when she noticed a 4x4 driving at speed behind her, prosecutor Martha Smith-Higgins told Newport Crown Court.

She sped up to put distance between herself and the car, but it pulled alongside her and she recognised the defendant.

The defendant then braked heavily, and continued to follow her, causing her to call the police.

Two days later, at around 8.30am, the complainant was woken by a neighbour, who told her that someone had just driven into her car, causing “extensive damage” to the passenger side.

The neighbour had filmed the incident, and it was also recorded on the complainant’s Ring doorbell.

The court heard how Harvey attempted to mask his identity by removing the number plates from the 4x4 and having his hood up. However, he was identified from the footage.

Gwent Police arrested Harvey and seized his phone. They discovered messages between him and a friend discussing the damage caused to the complainant’s car, Ms Smith-Higgins said.

The complainant had previously been moved to the address to get her away from Harvey, the court heard.

“This caused me great distress and panic,” the complainant said via a victim impact statement. “I was not able to sleep at night.”

Referring to the April 7 incident, she said: “What is most concerning is that we have a two-year-old son together and Thomas had no way to know whether he was in the car with me or not.”

Harvey had initially pleaded not guilty, and was due to go on trial on Tuesday, October 26, but then changed his plea to guilty on the day of trial.

“The defendant simply wants to put these matters behind him, move on from this relationship and serve his sentence,” said William Bebb, defending.

“He accepts his wrongdoing in these incidents.”

Harvey is currently serving a 20 month sentence after being convicted in July for a separate offence of producing cannabis – relating to August 2019.

“You are clearly a dedicated criminal,” said recorder Aidan Eardley, addressing Harvey. “You have been in and out of prison for four years or so.”

For the charge of stalking, Harvey was sentenced to 20 months in prison, to run concurrently with the sentence he is already serving.

He has been disqualified from driving for 22 months from his release from prison, and made the subject of a restraining order for five years.

No separate penalty was made for the other charges, and there was no order made for costs.

He must pay a £156 surcharge.