A MAN persistently harassed his estranged partner sometimes in bizarre fashion.

Blackburn magistrates heard how Daniel Stuart Cooney repeatedly turned up at her address and on one occasion left a milk carton containing water on the doorstep and demanded that she drank some of it.

He threw stones at her windows and followed her when she was out shopping.

The court was told the victim was left frightened to go out on her own and felt psychologically damaged by his unwanted attentions.

Cooney, 33, of Pine Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to stalking, harassment and two charges of using threatening behaviour. He was jailed for 16 weeks and made subject to a restraining order for two years.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said the stalking offence was committed between July and October. During that time the victim heard him shouting at her from across the street while she was shopping, saw him outside her flat on numerous occasions, despite a security door on the block. In recent weeks she had her nephew staying with her because she was too frightened to be on her own.

On one occasion he turned up at her front door at 11 pm shouting that he had to see her.

"He had brought a milk carton with some water in and shouted she had to drink it," said Miss Akhtar. "She found this very strange."

In an impact statement the victim said she was scared to go out on her own or even be on her own in her own home.

Zabair Afzal, defending, said his client had little recollection of the offences which were committed at a time when he was drinking heavily.

"Before he was arrested he hadn't slept for days," said Mr Afzal. "He was just wandering the streets and drinking. He can't remember what he did but he accepts everything the victim has said."

Mr Afzal said Cooney originated from Crawley in West Sussex and planned to return there after his release.

"He just wats to move back to Crawley and make a fresh start," said Mr Afzal.