A man lost his temper and kicked in the door to his ex-girlfriend’s home after she sent his new partner a text saying she was still sleeping with him.

Jamie Harding forced his way into the property in Margate to confront the woman, who he claimed had lied about their continued sexual relations following their break-up two months before.

As the 23-year-old carpenter repeatedly banged at the door in Clifton Gardens, his ex-partner shouted from a window: “He is going to kill me.”

Harding eventually gained entry to the home, where he says he was faced by the woman brandishing a knife, which he claims he wrestled from her before throwing it to the ground outside.

A witness confirmed they had seen him hurl the blade to the floor.

Harding, of Trinity Square, Margate, was arrested and charged with violence to secure entry and criminal damage.

He appeared in court the following day and admitted both offences on the basis he did not take the knife to his former partner’s address and had simply grabbed it from her and dropped it on the ground outside.

Prosecutor Julie Farbrace said this version of events was not accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service, but given it would not impact Harding’s sentence there was no need for a separate hearing to establish the most reliable account.

She said Harding’s ex, who he had been in a relationship with for three years, had texted his new partner last Monday (September 9).

After finding out about the message, Harding went to her home that day to confront her.

The prosecutor said: “He was seen kicking the front door with another person and she was seen screaming from her window, ‘He’s going to kill me’.

“She was screaming for help while he was banging on the door and shouting.”

The court was told at this point Harding gained entry to the property after the door frame and latch broke and was met by his ex inside.

Ms Farbrace added: “He claims she threatened him with the knife. I can’t confirm the origins of the knife, but he says he took it from her and dropped it outside the building.”

The witness confirmed they had seen Harding kicking his way into the house and throwing the knife outside.

Rob Quinn, defending, told magistrates the woman had been harassing Harding since they split up and the contact was not welcome.

He added: “He’s got a new partner and [his ex-girlfriend] was lying in the message, saying he was still sleeping with her, but he’s moved on.

“[His new partner] got upset and he lost his temper and he wanted to see his ex to sort it.

“She was brandishing the knife and he grabs it from her and leaves.

“He lost it, but he’s a man of good character.

“He has a possession of cannabis conviction, but he got a conditional discharge for that and had no domestic violence convictions.

“He’s a normal chap who had just had enough. He did kick the door and the latch went, but he came to his senses and left.”

Harding’s boss wrote a reference for him stating he is a good employee who arrives early for work, stays late and is in the top five of the firm’s 80 workers for reliability.

I have given him some advice about that as he could get a restraining order to protect himself...

Mr Quinn added: “It was not a healthy relationship and he is trying to move on.

“I have given him some advice about that as he could get a restraining order to protect himself.

“He earns between £30-40,000 a year, but there is no work sometimes and he has to claim Universal Credit.”

Magistrates said the situation was regrettable, but told Harding his use of violence to gain entry was unacceptable and a serious offence.

He was fined £250, but received no separate penalty for the criminal damage conviction.

However, he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £100 and £85 court costs.