A MAN was charged with setting fire to his partner's £1,000 designer bubble jacket because he thought she was cheating on him.

Blackburn magistrates heard Nicholas Ince claimed he had actually set fire to a £20 raincoat and led his partner to believe it was her Moncler bubble jacket.

Ince, 33, of Moorland Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and sending a threatening message. He was remanded on bail until August 18 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Ruby Mckeague, prosecuting, said the complainant alleged it was a black, designer bubble jacket that had been burned by the defendant.

Ian Owen, defending, said his client had been at great pains when interviewed by the police to emphasise that he was causing the aggrieved to think it was her expensive jacket when it had actually been a far cheaper garment.

"She had gone out with her friends and during the evening there was an exchange of messages which became less and less friendly," said Mr Owen.

"He believed she was with another man and he became enraged to the extent that he set fire to a jacket in order to upset her."

Miss Mckeague said the threats were made over the phone on the same night. Ince said he would kill her, her kids and her pet.

"She believed he would carry out his threats," said Miss Mckeague.