A man who smashed up his former partner's car and then robbed her has been jailed for three years.

Sean Wesley, 29, went to Jennifer Benton's home in Abbots Avenue West, St Albans, after they had split up and demanded his belongings.

Prosecutor James Murray-Smith told St Albans Crown Court on Friday that when she denied, hiding his things he picked up a baseball bat and smashed the windows on her car.

A few days later he confronted Ms Benton again and extracted money from her.

Mr Murray-Smith said they had a lengthy relationship that had begun when she was 15. "There was a history of domestic violence over 8 years," he said.

He said Ms Benton, a mother of two, was vulnerable and was in fear of Wesley. He had breached a non-molestation order against her on five occasions.

Wesley, of Oakhill Close, Maple Cross, Rickmansworth, appeared for sentence for 7 offences. He admitted two charges of breaching a restraining order and criminal damage in February this year.

He was convicted by a jury of robbery, breach of a restraining order and breach of a contact order. In addition he admitted another charge of breaching a restraining order.

He had 26 previous offences, including battery and breach of a non-molestation order against Ms Benton.

Charles Llewellyn, defending, said they had a very troubled relationship and he had lost his temper. He said no weapon had been used when he got the money from his former partner.

He said Wesley had been in custody since 26 February and asked for a sentence that meant he could move to Littlehampton, where he aims to be a carer for his father.

Mr Llewellyn said: "He has behaved abominably and said he is sorry to Jen and the kids for the life he has given them over the last 10 years."

Judge Stephen Warner told Wesley: "You lost self control, got a baseball bat and smashed up her car causing £1500 damage. It was a frightening experience."

He said the robbery was also "frightening and mean" and described him as a "manipulative and jealous man."