A STALKER was found by his ex-partner in her bed cuddling her coat after breaking in.

Darlington man Michael Johnston is facing a prison sentence for a fortnight-plus campaign of intimidation and threatening violence.

The 27-year-old was due to go on trial at Teesside Crown Court yesterday, but admitted the offences at the 11th hour.

He will be sentenced next month after a background report is prepared on him by the Probation Service.

Judge Sean Morris told defence lawyer, Ben Pegman: "In these cases, I always demand a report."

He told Johnston, of Lingfield Green, Darlington: "You were very wise to see sense in the end.

"In view of the fact you have pleaded guilty, I will grant you a pre-sentence report. It might help you, it might not.

"I know you want this to be dealt with today, but I need to know more about you.

"Don't read into the granting of a pre-sentence report that the sentence will be anything other than a custodial one."

Johnston admitted stalking involving fear of violence between May 1 and May 18, and intimidation on May 17.

The particulars of the intimidation read: "Knowing [victim's name] was to be a witness in proceedings for an offence, you issued a threat to her not to take the complaint of assault she had made against you any further, thereby causing the investigation to be obstructed."

The stalking charge involves five separate incidents, and caused the woman to fear on two occasions that violence would be used against her.

Johnston accepted that on May 1, he made an unwarranted visit to her home and both threatened to and used violence.

On May 12, he went to her home for a second time, and the following day, visited again and threatened to hurt her.

On May 17, he sent threatening messages, and he accepted that the following day he broke in through a window "and concealed yourself in her bedroom, where she found you".

Johnston was asleep and cuddling his ex-partner's coat.

Judge Morris remanded Johnston in custody, and he will be sentenced on October 15.