A MAN whose girlfriend cheated on him while he was in jail, slashed her new lover's neck with a knife blade, a court heard.

Jamie Pavelin, 23, of Berrans Avenue, Kinson, attacked victim Craig Churchill after discovering he had slept with girlfriend Kim Robbins, Bournemouth Crown Court was told.

Judge Roger Jarvis jailed Pavelin for three and a half years, describing him as a "dangerous offender".

Prosecuting, Paul Hester said Pavelin served a four-month prison sentence for theft earlier this year during which time Miss Robbins began a relationship with the victim.

When Pavelin came out of jail Miss Robbins resumed her relationship with him and they moved in together but she continued to call and send "sexual" text messages to Mr Churchill.

At the beginning of April one of Mr Churchill's calls to Miss Robbins was answered by the defendant, who said: "What are you doing phoning my bird's phone. I'll kick your head in".

On April 27 Mr Churchill was working at a car body shop in Moordown when he heard the screech of car tyres on the forecourt.

Mr Churchill said a man from the car came striding towards him and he realised it was Pavelin.

Pavelin asked him why he had been phoning Miss Robbins and he answered it was "only to arrange a night out".

Mr Churchill then noticed that Pavelin was holding a Stanley knife blade and as he attempted to move away he felt a pain at the back of his neck and realised he had been cut.

As he was helped back into the car showroom by two work colleagues, Pavelin shouted after him: "Next time I see you I'll kill you", added Mr Hester.

Mr Churchill was taken to hospital where a three-inch-long cut to the back of his neck required 11 stitches.

Pavelin told police he had taken the knife blade from work to scrape residue off his hands and did not intend to hurt Mr Churchill. He said Mr Churchill had come at him with a clenched fist and he grabbed him round the neck forgetting he was holding the blade.

Pavelin, who has previous convictions for ABH, battery and dangerous driving, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.

First published: August 9