A LOVE cheat threatened to burn down his ex-girlfriend’s home and kill her when his infidelity was uncovered, a court heard.

Keith Anderson, 26, became irate after secret messages he had sent to his partner’s friend on Facebook were revealed.

After being found out, Anderson, of Askrigg Street, Darlington, bombarded his ex-girlfriend with a tirade of abusive phone calls.

Darlington Magistrates’ Court yesterday heard Anderson’s threats were eventually recorded by a friend of his former partner, who contacted the police.

Jonathan Bambro, prosecuting, said: “Their relationship lasted about a month but finished when she learned about the messaging because she felt he had been playing them off against each other.

“They all met in Darlington and he was confronted by the women, they went their separate ways but he started calling his ex-girlfriend to meet in public.

“On another occasion, she was waiting for a bus and he tried to cuddle her but she pushed him away.

“He then called her nine times and during the recorded conversation he said; ‘It’s going to be the end of your life today, both of your houses will be burned down and you will be dead.’”

Upon sentencing Anderson, who pleaded guilty to sending an indecent communication, magistrates went along with the recommendations of a pre-sentence report, handing him 100 hours of unpaid work and an indefinite restraining order.

Darren Brown, mitigating, said: “He fully accepts a restraining order and is happy for one to be in place.”