A 41-year-old man turned the life of his ex-girlfriend into a living hell, Croydon Crown Court heard.

John Cable, was found guilty of harassment, having a knife as an offensive weapon and burglary last Thursday. He denied all the charges.

The court heard how Cable deliberately crashed his car into his girlfriend's, grabbed her by the throat, threatened to kill her and stole property worth more than £2,000 from her home.

She said that Cable had been living with her in Tollers Lane, Coulsdon, but she eventually stopped him from coming to the house after a row in July 2004 where he put his hands around her throat.

The court then heard how Cable would question everything she did, accuse her of seeing other men, be verbally abusive to her and continuously hit her under the ribs.

During one incident the court heard how Cable let himself into the house, punched through a glass door, hit her and threatened to burn the house down.

In May this year she told Cable that she could not see him anymore and decided to stay with a friend.

But on the way the 41-year-old man deliberately bumped his car into hers near the Swan and Sugar Loaf pub in Brighton Road and then threatened her with a knife.

Soon after she received a text from Cable informing her he had been to her house and taken things he had bought her in the past.

A jury found Cable guilty of all three charges and he was remanded in custody until November 9 when he will be sentenced.