A JEALOUS man who sent his ex-girlfriend death threats before attacking her has been jailed for eight months.

Burnley Crown Court heard James Stephen Thomas Smith breached a restraining order banning him from making contact with his ex-girlfriend, Anna Gillespie.

The prosecutor, Peter Barr, said Smith, of Roe Greave Road, Oswaldtwistle, sent Miss Gillespie threatening text messages and voicemails in the early hours on April 24.

Mr Barr told the court Smith was under the impression his ex-partner had entered into a new relationship with another man, Peter Smith.

MORE TOP STORIES:

In anger the 28-year-old then visited Peter Smith’s home and damaged the door of his house, the court heard.

Mr Barr said Smith then went around to Miss Gillespie’s house in Grisedale Avenue, Blackburn, punched her in the face and put her mother in a headlock.

Mr Barr said Smith’s texts caused his victim upset.

He said: “One message read ‘you’re dead, you are a dead person. I’m going to come round to that house with a machete’.

“There was a series of text messages received by the victim Miss Gillespie breaching the order.

“Messages to both Miss Gillespie and Peter Smith contained threats to kill, which were quite extensive.

“The abuse was deeply, deeply, hurtful to her.”

The court was told the original restraining order was put in place in January this year and was set to last to January 2018.

Darren Lee, defending, said Smith had a lot to contribute to society as he was qualified in the building trade.

He said: “He has no reason whatsoever to contact the complainant in the future.

“His mother and father both confirm they would welcome him back to their address.

“This would provide stable foundations for more stable employment.”

Smith pleaded guiltyto two counts of breaching a restraining order, two counts of criminal damage and two counts of assault by battery.

Jailing him for eight months, Recorder Mark Ainsworth, said a new restraining order would be put in place to avoid further contact between Smith, his ex-girlfriend and her mother.

He said: “You many not contact her by any means whatsoever, nor ask someone to do it for you.

“If you do you will come back you will find the court has less sympathy than it does now.

“I can understand why you were upset but nothing justifies this sort of reaction.”