Ian Andrews, of York Terrace in Tredegar, "relentlessly" stalked his ex until she became so exhausted she was too unwell to go to work or leave her own home.

Previously convicted for harassment and similar offences, Andrews refused to accept the end of another relationship last year and began a relentless pursuit of his latest victim, which consumed her entire life.

Mathew Comer, prosecuting, told Newport Crown Court on Friday that Andrews persisted in leaving "gifts" at the victim's residence and place of employment, installed a tracker on her vehicle, and kept creating new social media accounts to contact her.

On one occasion, Andrews adorned his ex-partner's car with white roses, which he took from someone else's garden, right outside her workplace. According to Mr Comer, Andrews' actions were meticulously crafted to cause maximum distress.

Gwent Police's inquiry unmasked a tracking device concealed beneath the woman's car in February this year, reports .

In a statement read out to the court the woman said: "I initially made the report to the police when I felt anxious and drained. This is because I made a number of reports before he was arrested.

"I couldn't open my front door without him being in my view. I worried when I left the house, always looking over my shoulder.

"He'd be in my work car park. On one occasion I was at work and a customer told me someone put flowers on my car. White roses had been placed on my wind screen.

"The following day he asked me if I'd received the flowers and told me he had cut them out of someone's garden. Who would do that?

"During the investigation a tracker was located under my vehicle. My anxiety since has been uncontrollable. It got to the point where I was worried about going to work because I was so drained.

"I'm exhausted. I would go out to Tredegar at the weekend and enjoy nights out and have a good time, but since reporting what happened to me to the police I have not been out at all in Tredegar as I feel I constantly have to look over my shoulder."

Andrews had seven previous convictions for 10 offences including harassment. Sophie Jones, defending, told the court Andrews, 39, had acknowledged his behaviour was not appropriate, even though he had denied stalking and was convicted by a jury at a trial. Judge Celia Hughes was also reminded that the defendant has been in custody awaiting trial since October 2024.

Addressing Andrews, Judge Hughes said: "You had been in a relationship for two years with the complainant before these allegations. You refused to accept she ended the relationship which ended after she realised your previous convictions.

"You went to her home uninvited and you contacted her by letter, phone, social media, and you sent her unwanted gifts such as flowers, wine and money. You knew her car's location and what may have been a tracker was found on her car. There was clearly an element of sophistication.

"You created fake social media accounts and used those of your children to contact her. There is no doubt this all had a substantial effect on her both physically and financially. Your conduct was intended to cause maximum fear and distress. Your previous convictions are a major aggravating feature.

"It is somewhat ironic Mr Andrews that you own an XL Bully dog because that name could also be used to describe you. You blame victims and blame your actions on your abuse of cocaine. Your sense of entitlement came across during your trial."

Andrews was sentenced to three years and nine months immediate custody. Judge Hughes also imposed a restraining order preventing the defendant from contacting the victim or her family in any way.