A MAN who assaulted his former partner in Grays while armed with a pair of scissors has been jailed for domestic-related offences.

Jake Pittaway, 22, of no fixed address, received 24 months when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court charged with possessing a blade in a public place.

He received four month sentences for two counts of assault by beating and three month sentences for three counts of criminal damage, to run concurrently. One count of threatening a person with a blade will remain on file.

Grays Domestic Abuse Investigations Team investigated three separate incidents involving Pittaway and a woman in her 20s.

On Sunday, 29 September 2019, the woman was awoken by Pittaway who had smashed a window at her home. She called 999 after Pittaway ran off.

Nine days later, he followed the woman into a block of flats before punching her to the back of the head as she entered her home.

Pittaway, who was in possession of a bike chain, entered the victim's address and caused damage to her bedroom and her hallway. Once again, he fled the scene ahead of the arrival of police officers.

At around 2am on Saturday 26 October, the woman returned home after being dropped off by friends. She was then assaulted by Pittaway who came out of an alleyway armed with a pair of scissors.

During the incident, he damaged a neighbour's car before being chased by a police officer, who detained him.

Investigating officer PC Kelly Adams, of Grays Domestic Abuse Investigations Team, said: "Pittaway subjected his former partner to abuse and violence after she ended their relationship.

"His behaviour escalated rapidly in just a month.

"Pittaway started off by breaking a window at her home and he ended up being arrested for assaulting her while in possession of a weapon.

"We have been supporting the victim and brought the case to court where he has since been jailed for two years."