A MAN threatened to kill the mother of his son in a text message after hearing she was seeing another man, a court heard yesterday.

William Tomlinson, who has a personality disorder, sent Clare Hall four messages, which left her fearing for her life.

South Durham Magistrates' Court heard that an injunction has since been made to stop the 27-year-old, from West Auckland Road, Darlington, contacting Miss Hall.

The couple separated in February last year, but continued to have a sporadic relationship. Miss Hall lived alone with their one-and-a-half-year-old son.

James Thomas, prosecuting, told magistrates in Newton Aycliffe that on July 6, Miss Hall told Tomlinson she was seeing another man.

At 11.15pm that night he sent a mobile phone text message to her, saying: "No chance. I'm going to be here forever. When I see you and him I'm going to kill you all".

Within the following ten minutes, two further messages were sent, which read: "Is he there now? Because I'm coming to play" and "Look outside, I'm coming".

Mr Thomas said the final message came 15 minutes later and said: "You make things worse. I'm going to sort you all out my way".

Miss Hall called the police next morning and Tomlinson was arrested, interviewed by police and a psychiatrist, and charged with making threats to kill, to which he pleaded guilty.

In a statement to the police, Miss Hall said Tomlinson was unpredictable and that she was afraid he would get into her home and cause her harm.

John Wager, for Tomlinson, said his client was taking strong drugs for his personality disorder and had been drinking on the night of the incident.

Tomlinson was sentenced to a two-year community rehabilitation order, and ordered to pay £55 costs.