A LOVESICK student stalked his English teacher across Europe, bombarding her with creepy phone calls and text messages.

Rafal Kucinski met Lynne Spruce while she was teaching in his native Poland and began a four-month relationship with her, a court heard.

But he refused to accept it was over when she returned to England and followed her to her home in Hove.

Irena Rae-Crosby, prosecuting, said he continually phoned and sent Miss Spruce text messages after she flew back in January last year.

Miss Rae-Crosby said: "She told him not to follow her back here but he did.

"Miss Spruce said he appeared to be waiting for her outside a bar in Hove.

"He followed her and sat near her when on a bus.

"He repeatedly phoned her and harassed her and a restraining order was made against him."

Despite the order, Kucinski, 33, continued to harass Miss Spruce.

After he spotted her out with a male friend in Brighton on April 21, he made calls and sent texts threatening to kill himself.

The next day he made 108 phone calls and sent a string of text messages to his former girlfriend, Hove Crown Court heard yesterday.

Miss Spruce reported what was happening to the police and Kucinski handed himself in at Hove police station on April 24.

Tony Loder, defending, said: "It was a relationship which he could not accept had come to an end.

"When he came to this country it was clear the relationship was foundering. He says he was contacted by Miss Spruce, who made it plain she wanted to continue seeing him. He responded to texts she sent and when he was rebuffed, the matter escalated. At no time did he make any threats and he now accepts the relationship is over."

Kucinski, of Seafield Road, Hove, admitted breaching his restraining order and was jailed for 15 months.

Judge Cedric Joseph told him: "I am concerned about the effect your obsessive and cruel behaviour has had on the victim in this case.

"She has suffered anxiety, panic attacks, had trouble sleeping and has been receiving counselling as a result of your behaviour.

"You breached the restraining order. Almost as soon as it was made, you were at it again.This sort of behaviour is simply not going to be tolerated."