A FATHER who lost his temper after his girlfriend falsely claimed she had been raped, has been jailed after he ransacked a home for vulnerable adults.

Simon Keith, 42, who was drunk and had taken drugs, became enraged when his partner, Samantha Rennie, told him she had been attacked, in order to stop an argument between them.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Keith, along with his son, Christopher, 18, went to Ashfield Court, in Darlington, in the early hours of the morning, after Ms Rennie told Keith she had been raped by people there.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said the men had intended to go to the home to beat up the people she had accused.

When they arrived, they broke into the complex before using a fire extinguisher to break open the lock on one of the flats they then ransacked the property.

One resident heard the men, of West Crescent, Darlington, shouting: "You are not getting away with it. We will get you."

The police were called and the two defendants were found nearby. They had caused about £3,000 worth of damage. Mr Dryden said: "Samantha Rennie told Simon Keith she had been raped to avoid an argument.

"She had been drinking and taking drugs and had met a man in the street. She had gone back to his flat and had consensual sex and made a false complaint to Simon Keith.

"No complaint was made to the police. She confirmed to police she had made the allegation up, when she was interviewed."

Stephen Thornton, representing Keith senior, said his client had been trying to patch up his relationship with his girlfriend, who was 20 years his junior, when she made the accusation.

He said: "He has been made a fool of, she has lied to him. He acted on a lie and realises this is wrong. He is sorry he brought his son into it."

Paul Cleasby, representing Keith junior, said: "He regrets the incident."

Simon Keith was jailed for 14 months for burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm and criminal damage.

Christophe Keith, who admitted two charges of criminal damage, was given 120 hours community punishment, and ordered to pay £1,500 compensation and £354 costs