A JILTED boyfriend who spotted his ex and her new lover arm-in-arm in a Calne street lashed out at the couple in a jealous rage.

Chippenham Justices of the Peace heard how Christopher Freegard punched former girlfriend Sally Pepworth in the face and kicked her as she lay on the ground during a vicious day time assault.

New boyfriend Richard Mitchell who was Freegard's former best friend was pushed into a hedge and punched during the violent outburst on May 26.

Prosecutor Becky Abbott said Miss Pepworth had been receiving abusive text messages from 21-year-old Freegard following their sudden split.

While walking along a Calne street with her new boyfriend, the couple saw Freegard's red Escort hurtling towards them, mounting a kerb and coming to a screeching halt.

Miss Abbott said he jumped out of his Escort and assaulted Mr Mitchell before turning on his ex-girlfriend, at one point holding her down on the floor by her neck and tightening his grasp.

Escaping from his grip she ran into a nearby nursing home in terror and called the police.

When police went to arrest Freegard at his father's house he held an eight-inch carving knife to his stomach and forearm and threatened to commit suicide.

Officers were forced to use CS gas to stop the suicidal 21-year-old from using the knife on them or himself.

In a police interview, Freegard confessed he had not taken any medication prescribed to control his temper.

Miss Abbott said the ex-girlfriend was left terrified by the assault and feared for the future.

"She is frightened he will be mad at her because he was arrested. She fears he will do something to her when he gets released."

Freegard, of Newcroft Road, Calne, admitted two charges of common assault at a court hearing on Monday.

Mark Drew, defending, said the new couple antagonised the jilted boyfriend by walking past him in an intimate fashion with their hands on each other's bottom.

Freegard, who was distraught at the break-up less than a month after the birth of their daughter, saw red.

Magistrates called for pre-sentence reports at a community punishment level to be prepared by Wiltshire Probation. The case was adjourned until June 23.