AN Ipswich man is behind bars for threatening an ex lover he claimed was harassing him.39-year-old Peter Michael, from Shackleton Square, told Sarah Piper he would "cut her up" unless she left him and his pregnant girlfriend alone.

AN Ipswich man is behind bars for threatening an ex lover he claimed was harassing him.

39-year-old Peter Michael, from Shackleton Square, told Sarah Piper he would "cut her up" unless she left him and his pregnant girlfriend alone.

Ipswich Crown Court heard how Michael stormed into Miss Piper's home terrifying her two friends and two young children.

A friend locked Miss Piper's children in the lounge while Michael threatened to slit Miss Piper's throat on November 27 last year.

But defence counsel claimed Michael was provoked by Miss Piper – an embittered ex-girlfriend enraged when he ended their two-month affair.

The court heard how Michael starting seeing Miss Piper when his partner, Esther Snell, was serving nine months in jail for deception.

When she was released in 2002, former drug user, Michael, told Miss Piper he wanted to end the two-month affair.

Miss Darby said: "But shortly after, he was bombarded by phone calls from Miss Piper. So many that it caused him to change his phone."

The court heard how on the date of the incident, Miss Snell – then seven months pregnant with Michael's child – received an offensive letter from Miss Piper.

Defender Rachel Darby said: "Michael took the knife he had been peeling potatoes with and went to Miss Piper's home. He was angry that Miss Piper brought Ester Snell into their problems."

Michael admitted affray but claimed he only told Miss Piper to stay out of his life.

Judge Nicholas Beddard said: "This was a terrifying incident, aggravated by the fact two young children were present.

"There is clearly a background to this arriving from the fact you slept with Miss Piper when your partner was in prison. I am not going to enter into the rights and wrongs of this. No doubt Miss Piper would dispute some of the facts I have been told. I shall be neutral."

He sentenced Michael to 15 months in jail with the recommendation he served half.