A MAN harassed, assaulted and made chilling threats to “chop up” his ex-partner if she found a new flame.

Kieran Reece Smith, 23, had been in a relationship with the woman for around a year before they separated in April, 2020.

But since then, Carlisle Crown Court heard on Wednesday, he had attended at her West Cumbria home, sent messages and called her over a period of time.

One visit came in May, revealed prosecutor Alison Whalley, when Smith had said to his former partner “if you were to meet anybody I would chop yous (sic) up”, adding: “I wouldn’t need a key to get through the door because I’ll use my chainsaw.”

Smith also assaulted the woman on June 28 as an initially amicable discussion between the pair turned violent. “He grabbed her arms, pushed her face down on to a bed, threw a washing basket at her, which missed, and barged into her stomach using his shoulder,” said Miss Whalley. Smith also grabbed her throat and pushed her to the ground.

“He took her car keys out of the premises, got into her car, revved the engine and threatened to throw her keys down a drain. He also threatened to kill her if she called police,” the prosecutor continued.

A month later, after another incident, Smith took hold of a police constable’s wrists, pushed him and had to be sprayed with an incapacitated before being arrested.

His ex-girlfriend, who suffered bruising to her left arm and wrists during the earlier assault, had been forced to move to another area and install a security system. “She is not sure what Mr Smith is capable of,” added Miss Whalley.

Smith, previously of Fell View Avenue, Whitehaven, admitted assaulting both his ex and the PC, and harassment.

He was “sofa surfing” and “effectively homeless” at present, but was in the process of setting up his own landscaping business, said his lawyer, Sean Hardin, who insisted: “It is clear from the probation pre-sentence report he is motivated to change.”

He was given a 24-month community order comprising 40 hours’ unpaid work and asked for a progress update in 12 months’ time. Smith was banned from contacting the woman for five years.

Recorder Grundy was told Smith had accepted the relationship was over, but said of the restraining order: “In my judgement you are better off not having any contact with her at all.