Jailed: Obsessed Smethwick man put his ex-partner through hell
An obsessive boyfriend from Smethwick who put a former partner and her family through weeks of hell has been jailed.
Richard Smallman made dozens of phone calls to his ex, banged on her parents' front door and turned up at her child's school before things turned violent. He eventually left a knife on her child's bed and then punched his ex in the face and stamped on her.
Smallman, of Manor Road, was given four years after pleading guilty to harassment, assault, burglary and possession of an offensive weapon.
The 28-year-old was also given an indefinite restraining order against his ex-partner and members of her family at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
The court heard his ex-girlfriend was living with her parents when he broke into the house a fortnight after she had ended the relationship. After leaving a knife on her child's bed, he then punched her in the face and stamped on her after falling down the stairs.
Judge Kristina Montgomery, sentencing, said: "Your reaction to the relationship ending was completely irrational and your actions were totally selfish and extremely frightening.
"You cared not one jot about anyone who got in your way.
"When the police were called you still did not stop and the calls and threatening behaviour continued until you were arrested."
The court heard how Smallman and his partner had split up on May 3 following a nine-month relationship.
Mr Geoffrey Dann, prosecuting, said the defendant had refused to accept it was over and had started harassing her.
Mr Dann said Smallman began banging on the door at 5am on May 11 before running off when police were called.
Smallman approached her again outside her child's school on May 15 and made 65 further phone calls. He was also spotted banging on her parent's door at 2am on May 16.
The court heard he eventually waited in the back garden for his ex-partner to return alone following a birthday night out at 6.30pm on May 17.
Smallman came through the kitchen door, punched her several times in the face and stamped on her.
Neighbours had called the police but he ran off having caused £4,000 of damage to the house.
Mr Dann said: "When she was giving a statement he called again but she kept him on the phone.
"He was arrested by a plain clothed officer in Wednesbury on May 18 who found a clawhammer in his bag.
"He was remanded in custody but continued to write to his former partner and call her. Having been arrested he did not stop and continued to harass her."
Mr Ekwall Tiwana, defending, said Smallman had been immature and taken the break-up very badly.
He said: "He realises he has got to grow up and his very sorry for his actions and the injuries he caused."
