A MAN threatened to harm his long-distance girlfriend after finding out she had a new partner, magistrates have heard.

Hereford Magistrates Court heard that Darren Graham Marchant, 27, of Paradise Court, Leominster, made a threatening Facetime call to his ex-girlfriend and sent a threatening text message to her new boyfriend.

Nicola Ritchie, prosecuting, said that on October 12 last year Michaela Elkins received a call from Marchant while she was with her new partner.

Marchant became angry after asking about her new relationship, telling her he would shoot her with a gun and stab her with a knife.

He then said he would find her partner and do the same to him, later sending a message that said: “Leave my girlfriend alone or you will be six feet under.”

Mark Thompson, for Marchant, said that although Marchant had pleaded guilty to both offences at an earlier hearing, he now denied the threats to stab or shoot Ms Elkins.

He told the court that the victims were both living in the Greater London area at the time the offences were committed, while Marchant was living in Leominster.

“He believed he was still in a relationship with Ms Elkins when he found out she was seeing someone else,” Mr Thompson said.

“He has learning difficulties, and he did not actually have any intention of carrying out these threats, which are out of character for him.”

Marchant was given a 12-month community order. He was ordered to complete 16 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and must pay an £85 victim surcharge.