A drunk man turned up at his ex-girlfriend’s house, 'threatening to smash her new partner’s face in', before spitting at police.

Kieran Jackson, 27, attended the address of his former partner in Maryport, who was at home with her new partner on July 2.

Jackson, of Harrington Road, Workington, was “very drunk” and “struggling to accept the end of the relationship”, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said Jackson had knocked on the door and then started banging and kicking on it, causing damage to the paneling.

He was shouting threats at the woman’s new partner, threatening to “batter” him and get other people round to “batter” him.

Police were contacted and arrived at the address. Jackson ran away and police had gone inside the property.

Ms Fee said Jackson had barged his way inside while police were there.

Police prevented Jackson from getting to his ex’s new partner. Jackson had used two hands to push the police officer away. There was a struggle and police used Pava spray to get hand cuffs on Jackson.

Other officers then arrived and got him outside. They had to put leg restraints on him to carry him out, the court heard.

Jackson had then spat at a police officer, which hit him to the side of the face and ear.

The defendant was later questioned by police and was “extremely apologetic” throughout the interview.

He said his girlfriend had broken up with him three weeks ago and then started a relationship with a new partner.

Jackson said he had been “very drunk” and ”very upset”. He was struggling to process the end of the relationship. He said he had drunk about eight pints.

He had got a taxi to friend’s house at Maryport where he was staying and decided to go to his ex-partner’s house and confront her and the new partner.

Jackson said he had been banging and kicking to get the victim’s attention. He accepted he wasn’t wanted at the address.

He told police to pass his apologies on to the officers involved. He was drunk and said he will stop drinking “until he is in a better place”.

Jackson said he didn’t expect to see the new partner and “wanted to smack him”. He admitted threatening to “smash his face in” but said it was an empty threat.

He stated he had spat at the officers but was unable to see due to Pava being sprayed.

Jackson, who was unrepresented, told the court: “I want to start off by saying I apologise to everybody involved.

“I have got beautiful friends and family. I have got a good job and a house. I have had a lot of stress in my life.

“I don’t see the point in going backwards. If I can just keep moving forward I will remain in a happy place. I’m sorry for everything.”

Jackson pleaded guilty to criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and two charges of assault by beating of an emergency worker.

He was given a 12-month community order and must complete 160 hours of unpaid work and 120 hours of alcohol abstinence monitoring.

Jackson must pay £200 in compensation to the landlord of the property and £100 in compensation to the police officer who he spat at.

He must also pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

A six-month restraining order was imposed, which bans Jackson from contacting the two victims by any means, or attending a named address.