An Eritrean man who became obsessed with his former Croatian girlfriend after she dumped him was yesterday given a suspended jail term for assaulting her.

Balay Mengite Menghistab, 24, of Ġzira, threatened and harassed the woman in an argument on Saturday evening in Sliema. He also assaulted her, bruising her hands and arms. His obsessive behaviour frightened the woman and she stopped the relationship, sparking off the argument, police sources said. The man admitted to the charges and was given a four-month prison term suspended for three years.

The victim was placed under a protection order for three years.

Inspectors Anna Marie Micallef and Louise Calleja prosecuted.

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