Jealous Ben Cross followed his ex in his van

Ben Cross, 32, had already served prison sentences for failing to comply with the terms of the order, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Ian Ball, prosecuting, said he had sent handwritten letters to his former partner and to their young child in August this year while he was in prison for a previous breach of the order.

He then sent her messages on social media following his release in September and on October 31 he followed her in his van.

Mr Ball said she was in her car with her son as a passenger when she saw the van and it partially blocked the road as she turned into a side street.

She managed to drive away but when she pulled up at another stop, he drove up behind her and started shouting to her through the window.

He was arrested and told police he was "struggling emotionally", Mr Ball said.

"He has expressed feelings of jealousy and frustration and seems to be unable to help himself," he told the court.

Cross, of Throckmorton Road, Redditch, pleaded guilty to five breaches of the order.

Lee Egan, defending, said the breaches showed "persistent disobedience and annoyance" rather than the concern over violence often associated with such offences.

He said Cross had "broken down" over the loss of his family and turned to drink and drugs but he had now accepted the reality of his situation.

"He simply had not grasped that he could not contact her at all," Mr Egan said.

Judge Nicolas Cartwright said the victim had suggested in a personal statement that she has been left scared.

She could not go out without "looking over her shoulder" and her health was being affected, he said.

"An inevitable custodial sentence is unlikely to deter you from further breaches," the judge told Cross. "I only hope that it does and it will, of course, provide some protection."

Cross was jailed for a total of 22 months.