A JILTED lover who attacked his ex-partner and her new boyfriend is not going to prison - so he can help build a new one.

Peter Ramsay was spared custody on Monday because he is needed on the site where a jail is being constructed in Wales.

The 38-year-old, from Catterick, North Yorkshire, was given a 12-month suspended sentence with 100 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Peter Armstrong also ordered him to pay £340 court costs, and £100 compensation to his ex and £500 to her lover.

Teesside Crown Court heard Ramsay had been drinking before going to her house in the early hours while the couple were in bed.

He jumped on the bed and repeatedly punched the man, and caught the woman with several blows, said prosecutor Paul Reid.

When the victim ended up on the floor, Ramsay kicked him and continued the attack until a child came into the bedroom.

Ramsay fled from the house, but when police were there, he rang up and said: "I'm going to come back and flatten him again."

John Nixon, mitigating, told Judge Armstrong: "When he learned of her relationship with this man, she was utterly devastated.

"If he was to lose his liberty, the company would be in breach of their contractual obligations because they are required to have a site manager on site.

"That would have immense consequences for the company and the 15 men currently employed in Wales, building a prison."

Ramsay, of Chapel Riggs, Catterick, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and sending a malicious communication on August 28.

Judge Armstrong told him: "I don't think you could complain if you were sent to prison immediately today for this attack.

"From everything I have read about you, despite the nature of the attack, I think it is just possible to suspend the sentence."

The male victim suffered a bump on his head, a bruised nose, black eye and shoulder injury, which is still causing him trouble.

He said in an impact statement, that he is also having problems sleeping and has shed a stone in weight because he has lost his appetite.