A WOMAN-beating thug who used false identities to attract victims has been convicted.

Robert Preece installed a fake letterbox to intercept mail and broke in through a roof during his campaigns of stalking, harassment and violent attacks.

The 40-year-old, of Palmerston Road, Westcliff, was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent, burglary, stalking, robbery, actual bodily harm and criminal damage at Chelmsford Crown Court.

In June 2017, Preece approached his ex girlfriend who was sat in her car near shops in Melbourne, Chelmsford and punched her in the face, fracturing her cheek.

The attack followed her recent ending of her relationship with Preece, who she knew as John Perry.

Preece went into hiding in London before starting a relationship with a second woman in Essex in February 2018 under his false identity.

The relationship lasted three months before Preece started a campaign of stalking and harassment. He sent letters to her home, paid a locksmith to change her locks, attempted to cancel her bank cards and sent constant messages and calls.

He also installed a letterbox at the home while she was working in America to try to intercept her mail and broke into her home through her roof as she slept.

Preece went into hiding a second time and started a relationship with a third woman.

In October 2018, he smashed the woman’s car window following an argument and broke into her home.

He assaulted her and took her possessions, including her phone, before being located and arrested.

Det Sgt Gavin Tuck, of Chelmsford Domestic Abuse Investigation’s Team, said: “The fear that he put the women under was immense and again shows what type of threat he is.”

He will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on May 2 having been convicted following a trial.