A convicted rapist who subjected his ex-partner to “scary and insidious” stalking has been jailed.

Nigel Chapman, 48, also tripped and punched the woman in the face and shook her by the jaw during a row.

Following his arrest, Chapman breached bail to carry out “many incidents of deliberate, insidious, scary stalking”, Canterbury Crown Court heard.

Chapman moved into the victim’s Sandwich home last year during the two-and-a-half year relationship.

But he became controlling and obsessive before the “nasty” attack in November.

Prosecuting barrister Tom Dunn explained Chapman, who was of no fixed abode, made numerous visits to her home and phone calls.

On Sunday, November 11, a neighbour reported seeing Chapman near the victim’s house, Mr Dunn explained.

The next day he sent the victim pictures of herself, her home and pet rabbits, the court heard.

The same month taxis were called to her property and a silent phone call was made.

Chapman also approached his victim in Canterbury during the early hours of the morning and quizzed why she was there.

Judge James O’Mahony said the victim had suffered “severe psychological” effects.

“It caused the complainant to have to go to hospital for treatment and tell a nurse she had been attacked by a stranger..." - Judge James O’Mahony

He added: “There was a nasty common assault.

“It caused the complainant to have to go to hospital for treatment and tell a nurse she had been attacked by a stranger.

“It is fortunate the injuries weren’t worse than they were.

He added: “The police were involved as to be expected and there were bail conditions not to contact the complainant.

“Many incidents of deliberate, insidious and scary stalking (followed).”

A victim impact statement read out in court said Chapman’s actions made the woman feel “ill” and drop a stone in weight.

It added she feared Chapman would turn up at her workplace and colleagues had to escort her to her car.

Chapman’s barrister argued his client suffered PTSD after a troubled childhood but had “put his mental health problems behind him.”

His client had no intention of trying to re-kindle the relationship, he explained.

Chapman, whose previous convictions include rape, was jailed for 18 months for stalking, assault by beating and failing to comply with the sex offenders’ act.