A TEENAGER stalked his ex-girlfriend and spied on her using binoculars after their relationship ended, a court heard.

The lovelorn 17-year-old, from Chester-le-Street, bombarded his 15-year-old former sweetheart with texts and phone calls.

Consett Magistrates' Court yesterday heard how he became possessive and jealous, and twice attacked her after learning she had a new boyfriend.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of assault and one charge of harassment.

On August 26, he followed the girl as she walked with a friend, and held her up against a wall, banged her head and tore her clothing.

He visited her at her home on September 5 and attacked her as she sat at the kitchen table, punching her around the head.

On September 11, the girl saw him sitting on his mountain bike below her bedroom window while she used her computer.

She looked through her binoculars and saw he was watching her through his own binoculars, so she called the police and he was arrested.

Sharon Nevison, prosecuting, said: "During the second half of their relationship, it became quite apparent this young man was possessive and controlling about what she did, where she went and who with. It became quite clear that he was spying on her.

"Following the end of their relationship, he could not sever his ties and there have been problems."

In a statement read to the court, the victim said he had ruined her life and caused her fall out with friends.

She is now too scared to leave her home and fears what he might do next.

The youth spent two nights in police custody after being arrested for the most recent offence.

His parents were in court and said the girl had been calling and texting him and asking him to contact her.

Tony Jackson, mitigating, said: "This is the first serious girlfriend he has had and it has provoked strong emotions. Love turned to hate when her love for him disappeared.

"He now accepts that the relationship is at an end. The tragedy is that it has taken him to come before a court for him to realise that."

The teenager was sentenced to a 12- month restraining order and a nine- month referral order, as well as being ordered to pay £34 in costs.