A 31-year-old Broadstairs man couldn’t come to terms that his relationship with his partner had ended... so he armed himself.

Then Michael Collett, high on amphetamines, barged his way inside her house where three children were sleeping, to confront his ex-lover.

And when she refused to talk, he took out the weapon from a bag, pointed it at her and told her: “You will f***** talk!”

Canterbury Crown Court heard how he later placed the imitation firearm - believed to be a BB gun, against the temple of the terrified mother saying: “I will end your life tonight!”

Now Collett, of Norman Road, Broadstairs has been sent to prison for 20 months after admitting possessing the weapon, making a threat to kill, possessing drugs and sending a malicious text message.

Judge James O’Mahony told him: “I have some sympathy for you. You were going through a period of acute mental turmoil at the time.

“But you chose to inflict a very frightening and terrifying experience on your ex-partner. Your behaviour was extreme. You wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“It is far too serious not to send you to prison immediately. I’m sorry it has come to this but you have put yourself in this position.”

Prosecutor Sarah Campbell told the court how Collett had gone to his ex partner’s home demanding to talk to her.

“As she walked upstairs, he took the gun from his bag telling at her: ‘We will f***** talk’. She ran upstairs and he followed her, saying: ‘Give me your phone!’

“She thought he wanted to find out who she had been in contact with since their relationship had ended.”

When the terrified victim refused, Collett produce a flick knife and threatened to cut off her thumb to unlock the phone.

Ms Campbell said one of her children then asked: “Mummy are you OK?’ and Collett put the gun and knife away and left.

Days later during another confrontation, he sent a "nasty" test that he would "put a bullet in her head” unless he was allowed to see his child.

The victim later told police how since the incidents she feared for her life and had moved out of her home.

When officers raided Collett’s home they discovered amphetamines, blank cartridges and a photograph of a hand holding a gun on his mobile phone.

Phil Rowley, defending, said the incidents were “deeply unpleasant” but were out of character.

He said Collett had turned to amphetamines after a brother had a serious road accident but had become addicted.

"He had something of a complete breakdown because he couldn’t deal with things going on around him” - Phil Rowley, defending

“He had something of a complete breakdown because he couldn’t deal with things going on around him.”

The judge also ordered him to stay away from his former partner until further notice.

Speaking after sentence, Investigating officer PC Neil Carroll said: "This was a very scary ordeal for the victim who has shown a great deal of bravery in coming forward and reporting this to the police.

"We are pleased that Collett has received time in prison for his actions and we hope this encourages other people who have experienced similar forms of abuse to come forward."