POLICE say a prolific Stourbridge crook who has been jailed for eight years was one of their most wanted domestic abusers.

Kieran Taplin threatened to have his ex-partner's home petrol bombed and to kill her in front of her children.

He would also 'smash every wall in the house' in a terrifying campaign of threats against his victim, police said.

The woman bravely came forward in July last year - and officers began searching for Taplin.

The breakthrough came on 15 August when an off-duty officer noticed him driving a stolen Audi carrying false plates in Quarry Bank. Officers arrived shortly after, but Taplin rammed their car and drove off.

Two hours later, he was spotted again in Netherton in the same car. He was arrested, and found to have a knife and drugs on him.

On February 7 at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday he was jailed for five years after being found guilty of blackmail.

He was also found guilty of assault, criminal damage and given concurrent prison sentences for those offences.

Taplin, aged 31, of Stourbridge Road, Lye, was also given prison sentences totalling three years for motoring offences and possession of a knife to run consecutively.

He was also given a lifetime restraining order banning him from contact with the victim.

Detective Sergeant Adam Smith, from the Public Protection Unit, said: “Taplin was one of our most wanted people just prior to his arrest.

“He is quite simply a violent, drug-fuelled offender who posed a significant risk to vulnerable women, members of the public, and us as officers.

"I am glad we have now been able to bring this dangerous person to justice and protect his victim from coming to any further harm at his hands.”