A “possessive, controlling” woman stalked a former boyfriend and threatened to kill herself, claiming she was pregnant after he ended their relationship, a court heard.

Nazmeen Rehman, 34, of Princes Avenue, Watford turned up at the home of James Leno, followed him in her BMW and bombarded his phone with texts and calls despite being on bail for harassment charges.

Rehman appeared at Hemel Hempstead Magistrates Court for sentence having previously been convicted of criminal damage and common assault after blocking Mr Leno's car into a pub car park and punching him, on June 23 this year.

Mr Leno was driving in a friend's VW Beetle when he spotted his ex-girlfriend in her BMW in Barton Way, Croxley Green.

Mr Leno pulled into the car park of the Red House pub, and Rehman - on bail for harassment charges which prohibited contact with him - followed and blocked his exit.

She said: “I am going to get you beaten up” and told him that she was two months pregnant.

Mr Leno managed to drive out of the car park to a friend's home nearby, but Rehman followed and pulled up behind their vehicle.

Mr Leno told her she was on bail and to stay away, but she began shouting abuse and accused him of sleeping with the girl he was with.

Mr Leno called the police and Rehman drove off, but only to return.

She pulled up beside the driver's door preventing Mr Leno shutting it and with a set of keys scratched into the Beetle's bodywork.

Mr Leno said it was “not even” his car and tried to call the police.

But Rehman grabbed the phone from him and threw it on the floor, punched him in the chest and grabbed his shirt around the neck, ripping it.

Mr Leno pushed her off and the petite Rehman “dramatically” fell in some bushes, before screaming that she was being attacked.

In a separate trial Rehman was also convicted of harassment for a month-long stalking of Mr Leno after he ended their relationship in January.

Mr Leno, from Croxley Green, went to police after Rehman, who he described as “controlling, possessive and jealous” left abusive messages and threatened to kill herself after he finally ended it.

Paula Appiah, prosecuting said: “He would go back to her because he cared about her, but decided to end it permanently in January.

“But she phoned 100 times a day and left abuse messages and texts and threatened self harm.

“She appeared from nowhere and would follow him.”

Hemel Hempstead magistrates were told on Thursday that Mr Leno had had enough and on April 30 went to the police.

While Mr Leno was at the station an officer telephoned Rehman and gave her a warning over the phone.

However, as Mr Leno left Rehman was waiting outside sat in a car “laughing” at him.

Rehman was warned again, but continued the same behaviour turning up at his Croxley Green home and the Bushey Grove leisure centre when he was out with friends.

She tried to speak with him and when he refused followed in her car “bumper to bumper”.

Rehman then threatened to cut her wrists after letting herself into Mr Leno's home, saying: “Why are you doing this. I am going to kill myself.

“I will cut my wrists in front of you right now.”

In an impact statement Mr Leno said the harassment left him isolated from friends.

He has been signed off work with stress and just wanted to get on with his life, the court heard.

However, the court refused a request by the prosecution to place a restraining order on Rehman, after being told she had not contacted Mr Leno for several months.

In mitigation it was said Rehman was receiving psychiatric treatment after being the victim of abuse in the past.

She comes from a “strict household” and was being supported by her “religious family” to get over her problems.

Chairman of the bench Dr Hallan imposed an 18-month community order, including supervision by probation.

A contribution to prosecution costs of £300 was awarded.