A 'CONTROLLING and coercive' Herefordshire man who threatened to self-harm if his relationship ended has been sentenced.

Joshua Carpenter previously pleaded guilty to two counts of causing criminal damage and was found guilty of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour by magistrates in Hereford.

The court heard the 26-year-old had displayed jealousy of his girlfriend's ex-partner and repeatedly threatened to self-harm if his relationship ended, behaviour which had a serious effect on his girlfriend, on August 1 and September 22.

He had also deliberately damaged an internal door belonging to his girlfriend on September 5 and 22 and damaged her mobile phone on September 22.

Carpenter, of The Nook, Tupsley, was handed an 18-month community order and a three-year restraining order. He must also pay compensation of £100, a £50 fine, costs of £250, and a £95 victim surcharge.