A MAN has admitted harassing and assaulting his former partner as well as threatening her if she went to the police.

Christopher Steven Mazzetti, 32, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court, on Friday, where he admitted a number of offences against the woman.

David Maddison, prosecuting said Mazzetti visited her home to retrieve some property including two dogs and a pocket knife.

The woman and her sister later went out in her sister's car and describe Mazzetti as having the knife out and jumping in front of them.

Mr Maddison said: "He is clearly in an aggravated state of mind and he makes as if to stab one of the dogs.

"He then punctures the tyres of the vehicle shouting various comments like 'I'm going to make you all pay.'"

Mr Maddison said Mazzetti, of Honister Place, Newton Aycliffe, also smashed the car windscreen and threatened to kill himself.

The 32-year-old was arrested and released on police bail when he had another encounter with his former partner.

Mr Maddison said: "He spat in her hair and threatened her to the effect that this behaviour wouldn't stop if she reported him to the police but report him to the police she did." Mazzetti admitted assault, harassment, perverting the course of justice, possession of a bladed article, affray and three counts of criminal damage. Two of the criminal damages related to smearing blood and faeces in police cells. All of the charges occurred between January 1 and March 22, in Newton Aycliffe.

Ben Pegman, mitigating, said the woman said some very hurtful things that upset Mazzetti who has struggled with the break up.

Mr Pegman said: "He is in very good spirits today but that hasn't always been the case."

Mazzetti was given a restraining order, a one year supervision order and made to pay £50 compensation to the woman and £44.68 to pay for the cells to be cleaned.