A WINCHESTER man has narrowly avoided an immediate jail sentence for stalking a woman and harming her mental health.

Aaron Crow, 29, of Stuart Crescent, Stanmore, stalked the woman in Southampton for a month last year, a court heard.

Crow followed her, called her and messaged her between August 1 and September 1. He admitted the charge.

Southampton Magistrates Court on Wednesday February 21 jailed Crow for 18 weeks but the sentence was suspended for 24 months.

The court record stated: "The offence(s) are so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified, The reasons for this: realistic prospect of rehabilitation as long as complied with current order, reason for imprisonment was that offence was domestic in nature, made victim's life hell including affecting her psychological wellbeing."

A restraining order to last until February 20 2026 was imposed for Crow not to contact the woman, nor go to an address in Irving Road in the city.

Crow was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85.