Tiffany Aching (pictured), formerly known as Lee Baker, split from Kathryn Smyth in 2016 but went on to pester her on social media

A transgender army veteran who carried out a prolonged campaign of harassment against her ex-partner has been jailed.

Tiffany Aching, formerly known as Lee Baker, split from Kathryn Smyth in 2016 but went on to pester her on social media.

Miss Smyth took out a restraining order against the 6ft 2ins tall former soldier, who went on to breach it several times by contacting her online.

A court heard Aching was desperate to get back at her for breaking up their long-term relationship by stalking her on Instagram for more than a year.

Aching posted suggestive remarks towards Miss Smyth, who is in her 40s, and tried to share women's fashion tips with her.

On one occasion Miss Smyth, who runs a cupcake business, posted on Instagram that she was suffering from 'obsessive cupcake disorder'.

Aching, who served in the army as a combat medical technician, responded by saying: 'Definitely miss a certain someone's cupcakes.'

Another time, Miss Smyth, from Bournemouth in Dorset, wrote: 'All you you need in life is high heels and cupcakes.'

Aching, 47, again responded with her own thoughts, updating her own bio to read: 'Love how high heels make my legs look good.'

She changed her own Facebook profile picture to one that contained the victim.

And Aching also regularly turned up at Miss Smyth's home and work, leaving her feeling 'scared and insecure'.

In September 2017, CCTV from her home captured Aching, at that point still Lee Baker, turning up at the house during the night.

Aching (shown) posted suggestive remarks towards Miss Smyth, who is in her 40s, and tried to share women's fashion tips with her

He then disappeared out of sight before reappearing several minutes later, when he was filmed shining a torch inside a car parked on her drive.

The harassment went on from July 2017 and September 2018.

Giving evidence during a trial at Poole Magistrates' Court, Miss Smyth said the constant harassment had left her feeling like she was 'being watched all the time'.

She said: 'It's made me feel frightened, uneasy and like I can't live life. It's like I'm being watched all the time and I'm still frightened now.

'I've been suffering with depression and anxiety because of it and I've had to work shorter hours.'

Aching failed to turn up for the trial and was found guilty of two charges of harassment; breaching a restraining order and of stalking in her absence.

She was jailed 15 months when she appeared for sentencing at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Nicholas Tucker, mitigating, said that Aching had only recently been released from a psychiatric unit and would be victim of 'merciless bullying' in prison.