A MAN bombarded a former partner with phone calls, assaulted another one in an ambulance and damaged property at his father's home, a court heard.

Andrew Vaux, of Lees Close, Cullingworth, was at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court last Wednesday (Nov 12) to be sentenced for five breaches of a non-molestation order, an assault, criminal damage and obstructing a police officer.

The court heard that the 45-year-old father-of-two made more than 80 phone calls to the home of ex-partner Fiona Mattison, spread over May 24, 27 and 28 and June 16 and 20 this year, breaking a non-molestation order imposed last December.

Mrs Mattison read a victim impact statement out in court, saying she was in "constant fear" of Vaux and that her two children were scared of him. She talked of "stress and pain" caused by his behaviour, and the "constant barrage" of incidents. She described Vaux as "uncontrollable" and someone who "blames all around him".

She added: "We all have a real fear that it is only a matter of time before Andrew hurts someone during one of his outbursts, either accidentally or intentionally."

The relationship between Mrs Mattison and Vaux ended in October last year when he was found guilty of assaulting her, the court heard.

In mitigation, it was said that Vaux admitted making the calls but that he was just trying to contact his sons, who were living with Mrs Mattison but were said to be out or asleep when he called. It was said he became frustrated at being unable to talk to them.

It was also said that Vaux had suffered mental health problems, including a nervous breakdown, since the death of his wife in 2009.

Vaux also assaulted Elizabeth Coe, on May 28 this year, in Queen's Road, Bradford, while in an ambulance, the court heard.

The pair had been friends for more than 20 years and had a brief relationship as teenagers and another which ended in March, the court heard.

The court was told that Vaux went to Mrs Coe's house and said he had purposely crashed his car because he wanted to die. While in the house he went to the bathroom with a bottle of bleach and claimed to have drunk some, so Mrs Coe phoned an ambulance.

The prosecutor said: "As the ambulance was driving along he lunged towards Elizabeth Coe when her phone rang. He grabbed her round the neck, put his knees in her back and wrestled her to the floor in an attempt to get her phone."

She added that Vaux then threw a glass of water over Mrs Coe.

Vaux was also sentenced for damaging decking at his father's house in Glusburn, on October 5. The court heard that Vaux had been in the house and was angry and shouting before he stormed out.

His parents, the court was told, heard him shout "I'm going to crash my car" before watching him drive his vehicle at speed into a decking area numerous times. When the police were called, he struggled violently and had to be restrained.

Vaux was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He must also do 120 hours' unpaid work.

Magistrates also imposed two restraining orders – one that says Vaux must not contact Mrs Mattison indefinitely, and the other that he must not contact his parents for six months.

Vaux must also pay £485 court costs and £150 compensation to his parents.