Man wielding meat cleaver threatened to cut up his ex

'Obsessed' 42-year-old subjected her to a campaign of abuse

- Sentinel Reporter

A JEALOUS lover has narrowly avoided jail after subjecting his ex-partner to a terrifying harassment campaign.

Matthew Bentley, aged 42, made the victim's life a 'living nightmare' throughout March.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard how Bentley refused to accept the breakdown of the relationship.

Instead, he fuelled feelings of violent jealousy with 'heavy alcohol consumption.'

Bentley began unleashing his horrific abuse on March 6 when he threatened the victim with a 'meat cleaver'. He then continued to show up at her address uninvited in the early hours of the morning throughout the month.

Police soon arrested Bentley, of Debenham Crescent, Eaton Park, and he has now been handed a two-year suspended sentence.

Prosecutor Edmund Potts relayed to the court how Bentley's threatening and violent actions left his victim fearful for the safety of herself and her loved ones.