A MAN who spiked his former partner's milk with white spirit after she ended their relationship, could have ended up poisoning her daughter instead, a court was told.

Andrew Bodenham added the substance, which if swallowed can cause lung damage, abdominal pain and respiratory tract irritation, to a carton of Flora Pro Activ milk at the woman's Monmouth home last January.

Thirty-one year-old Bodenham, of Rose Avenue, Monmouth, is beginning a six-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to attempting to administer poison with intent to injure, under section 24 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

Cardiff Crown Court was told that Bodenham still lived at his former partner's home at the time. She ended their relationship after discovering he contacted other women through social media, and she had met someone else, which he was unhappy about.

Prosecuting counsel Gareth James said Bodenham's former partner used that particular milk because of cholesterol issues, but was making her daughter a cup of tea.

After pouring the milk, she noticed it had curdled, and on closer inspection smelled something like white spirit.

"She immediately suspected Andrew Bodenham. He knew about her new relationship and was not happy," said Mr James.

"She challenged him, asked him what he had put in the milk.

"He said "she (the woman's daughter) hasn't drunk it, has she?" He confessed, broke down and cried. He begged for forgiveness but it was the last straw."

The woman handed the carton to police. Tests confirmed it contained components typical of white spirit.

The court was told that she described Bodenham as controlling, jealous and derogatory to her during a four-year relationship that in a victim statement she called "stressful, full of sadness and unhappiness."

Defending, Laurence Jones said it was clear that after the incident Bodenham demonstrated remorse.

"It was an unsophisticated offence that was bound to be discovered. It was stupid and recklessly dangerous," said Mr Jones, who added that was not known how much white spirit was involved.

Bodenham had taken 60 paracetamol tablets the day before the offence, subsequently spent four days in hospital, and continues to have liver problems.

Mr Jones said Bodenham told police he was "at a low ebb and was not thinking straight" at the time of the offence, and could give no rational explanation.

"He gave the milk back, which shows contrition. He did not pour it away," said Mr Jones.

Sentencing Bodenham, Judge Christopher Vosper QC told him it happened at a difficult time, when people can do things that they would not usually do.

But he added: "You must have done it with the intention that she should consume that white spirit."

Bodenham had maintained he could not remember the offence, but Judge Vosper said he found that difficult to accept "given your reaction when she confronted you."

He concluded that the white spirit "could be seen as a weapon."

A restraining order was also imposed upon Bodenham, barring him from contacting his former partner.