A MAN unable to accept the end of a long-term relationship lay in wait to attack his ex-partner and her new boyfriend on their return from a day out, a court heard.

Durham Crown Court heard it was the culmination of a course of behaviour by John Lawson against his former partner, after she ended their relationship of several years.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, said there were a number of incidents in which Lawson harassed her, urging her to resume their relationship, to no avail.

In one case his discovery of a text message from another man on her phone led to a heated row and so she left home to walk to a friend’s nearby house in Leadgate, near Consett, “just to get out of the way.”

Despite having no driving licence, Lawson got into her Vauxhall Astra and repeatedly drove past her, urging her to get into the car.

She refused and rang the police to report his actions.

When she did begin a new relationship she was greeted returning from a trip to Alton Towers by a ranting Lawson, who struck her new boyfriend with a wheel brace, dragged her to the ground, and smashed her phone, plus front and back car windows.

Lawson, 25, of Cragside Gardens, Gateshead, admitted putting a person in fear of violence by harassment, assault causing actual bodily harm, plus driving without insurance or licence.

Shaun Dryden, for Lawson, said he found it hard to accept the relationship was over, but now concedes his behaviour was, “nothing short of disgraceful”.

Lawson, who has been in custody since his arrest in November, was jailed for a total of 16 months.