A JEALOUS youth turned up at the workplace of his ex's new boyfriend and threatened to stab him, a court heard.

The alleged incident took place two months after the couple, who had a volatile year-long relationship, had broken up.

Darlington Magistrates' Court heard yesterday how the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was pulled back by his former girlfriend after he threatened the other male in Darlington in March.

The girl, who is 16, told the court it was just one of a number of incidents that had taken place over the course of their relationsip, and that he was extremely controlling and wouldmentally and physically abuse her.

However, Inga Borgen, defending, said the girl was exaggerating the extent of the abuse "to get him into trouble".

The girl, from Darlington, who also cannot be named, said her former boyfriend threatened her on a separate occasion with a kitchen knife, and also continually bullied her during their relationship by pulling her hair, and kicking, scratching and pinching her.

The defendant, also from Darlington, denies two charges of common assault and one of affray.

Ms Borgen questioned why the girl never told the police orher family about the abusive relationship until March, when she reported the incidents to the police.

The couple saw each other for just over a year.

Ms Borgen accused the girl of being jealous of other girls the defendant was seeing while they were together and that she was accusing him of the crimes to get him in trouble.

"This behaviour didn't happen the way you said it did, did it?"Ms Borgen asked. The girl denied she exaggerated any of the behaviour of her exboyfriend.

When asked by the defence why she didn't leave him sooner she said: "He just got into my head, he messed it up. I just couldn't leave him."

The trial continues.