A FORMER soldier harassed and threatened his former partner after she started a new relationship.

Blackburn magistrates heard when his ex blocked his phone Peter James Heaton sent messages to one of his children’s phones to make threats towards her and her new partner.

Heaton, 38, of Castle Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to two charges of harassment. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation and a curfew between 10pm and 6am for 10 weeks.

He was made subject to a restraining order which prohibits him from having contact with his former partner or her new partner.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said the couple had been in a 16-year relationship which ended in January 2018.

She tried to move on with her life but after starting a new relationship began to get messages threatening to “slaughter” her and her new partner.

On one occasion he turned up at the house as she was taking one of their sons to football. He asked the boy for a cuddle and said he hadn’t been able to see him for a while because mummy had a new man.

“He said he was going to slit the other man’s throat,” said Mrs Mann.

“He sent threats via another son’s phone after she blocked him and she believed they could be carried out because he is unstable.”

On Sunday, Father’s Day, he appeared outside her house at 9.30pm and shouted at her to tell her boyfriend he was going to kill him.

“She said they had taken the children to Alton Towers that day and she didn’t think her former partner liked the fact her new partner was with them on Father’s Day,” said Miss Mann.

Keith Rennison, defending, said in the 16 years of the relationship there had been no violence but she was fearful for her new partner.

He said Heaton had found it very difficult not seeing his children regularly and alcohol was a major issue.

“It is clear she doesn’t feel he will carry out the threats although he has caused her significant alarm and distress,” said Mr Rennison.

Mr Rennison said on Sunday Heaton had gone round to deliver a card for one of his son’s birthday which was the following day.

“He posted it and it came straight back out,” said Mr Rennison. “Regrettably he lost his temper.

“He was upset that on Father’s Day she had taken the children to Alton Towers and her new partner had gone. He didn’t even get a call from his children.”