A stalker who broke into his victim's home near Sevenoaks , forcing her to hide in the bathroom, has been jailed.

Maris Subbotins, 44, damaged a door to get inside the woman’s house on Saturday, April 25 after she refused to let him in.

The victim, who had no idea who Subbotins was, hid in the bathroom and called police.

She described being terrified after hearing the floorboards creaking as he walked around the property.

It was the third time she had seen Subbotins, after spotting him twice in her garden. She had reported a previous incident on April 22 after she saw Subbotins standing in her back garden watching her at her window.

She said he looked like he was gesturing to her to let him in. He then walked round to the front of the house and started banging on the door. She couldn’t understand what he was saying or what he wanted and had no idea who he was.

Then on April 25, she called police at about 9am when he turned up at her house again. This time she was in the kitchen, which overlooks the garden, when she noticed the bushes were rustling and then saw him emerge with his hands in the air walking towards the house.

"This was an utterly terrifying ordeal for the victim in this case."

By the time officers arrived he had left. They searched the area but were unable to find him.

Inquiries continued and at about 3pm that day he paid a third visit to the property. This time he entered and the victim, in fear of her safety, shut herself in her bathroom until police arrived.

Nothing was taken but her front door was damaged and her phone had been taken off its receiver in the front room.

Officers searched the area and found Subbotins, of no fixed address, at a bus stop near the house.

He was arrested and charged with stalking. Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court, he admitted the offence and was jailed for two years on Tuesday.

Detective Constable Shelley Rainer, said: "This was an utterly terrifying ordeal for the victim in this case.

"Thankfully she was able to give us a very good description of Subbotins, which meant we could locate him quickly.

"We understand the long term effects that behaviour such as this can have on victims and we will do everything within our power to bring offenders to justice."

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