The woman - who has asked us only to use her first name, Jade - said she endured a reign of terror from Antony McCallum, a businessman with a long list of current and former directorships, after she tried to end their 10-year relationship.

The 41-year-old, who was spared jail after pleading guilty to stalking charges - made abusive phone calls, turned up at her home unannounced and threatened to "disappear" her dog if she did not pay him £5,000.

Wiz, Jade's dog, was threatened as part of the incident (Image: Supplied)

The woman was first tipped off about McCallum's abusive behaviour around three months into their relationship when she received a call from police notifying her of a so-called Clare's Law referral made on her behalf.

The procedure is named after Clare Wood, a woman who was murdered by an abusive ex-boyfriend, and allows police to tell someone if their partner has a history of violence or abuse.

Jade said: "In the early years, I was even warned by police through a Clare's Law referral, but I didn't fully understand the risks. I thought I was in love, and I believed he just had a difficult past.

Police had attended McCallum's Café for a previous incident where thieves broke in (Image: Supplied)

"I now live with the regret of not recognising the danger sooner."

She said he was abusive throughout their relationship and that some incidents had seen police involved.

On one occasion, McCallum - one of whose firms is a hot tub hire company in Beccles - grabbed her by her throat as her young daughter screamed at him to let her go.

However, she said his behaviour escalated after she told him she was leaving him.

He made abusive phone calls and turned up at her house, then later the shop she ran.

At one point, he told her she had to pay him £5,000 or he would "disappear" her dog, Wiz.

He also told her he wished he had killed her.

Wiz was used by McCallum to intimidate his ex-partner (Image: Supplied)

McCallum, from Wenhaston near Beccles, pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress at Ipswich Magistrates' Court last month.

This week he was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.

In her victim impact statement, Jade said: "This wasn't the first time I had tried leaving Antony, but this time took all the strength I had.

"But instead of setting me free, it led to a frightening escalation in his behaviour.

"Since I found the courage to leave, he has carried out a campaign of public humiliation, stalking, emotional intimidation, and financial harassment that has stripped away every part of my life where I once felt safe."

"In the calls the night of the escalation, Antony blackmailed me demanding £5,000 or my dog will disappear.

The Met Café is located at the Old Mill in Mill Road, Metfield (Image: Supplied)

"This feels like yet another form of coercive control and financial harassment.

"It's not about money, it's about intimidation and power and a tactical pattern of intimidation he has used whenever I have tried to leave him."

She said she feared McCallum would never leave her alone.

Her ordeal has left her traumatised, forcing her to install CCTV, change her locks, seal her letterbox and alter her daily routines.

She has been prescribed diazepam for panic attacks and referred for a PTSD assessment.

Jade added: "I no longer walk the same way to work or walk my dog along the same routes.

"I use tracking apps when I am out walking, and I'm constantly scanning my surroundings.

"Even small everyday tasks are now filled with fear and calculation. Looking for exits wherever I am, or scanning the aisles of the local grocery shop in case I see him.

Posh Tubs Hot Tub Hire is based at Ellough Industrial Estate in Beccles (Image: Google Maps)

"I don't even leave my car before checking the car park. I lock my doors as soon as I am inside my home or car in case he was waiting."

McCallum was told by the court he must complete 100 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation activity, and is subject to a two-year restraining order, which runs alongside an existing five-year stalking protection order.

McCallum has a long list of current and former directorships on Companies House.

He is the director of Posh Tubs Hot Tub Hire, in Beccles, and Ginger Rabbit Marketing, in Wenhaston, and also runs the Met Cafe in Metfield.

Previous directorships include Crooked House Café, in Southwold, The Yard, Everyday's Sundae, Beccles Car Company, Dash Cams Direct and TruTrak, a vehicle tracking and GPS technology firm.

© Eastern Daily Press