A MAN carried out a machete attack on learning his ex-partner was in bed with another lover, shortly after ending their relationship.

Mark Myers took the weapon from his home to the nearby address in Ferryhill, where he had been drinking earlier that night, from May 6 into May 7, last year.

Durham Crown Court heard he forced his way in, and although the man sleeping with his recent ex-girlfriend tried to block the bedroom door, Myers also managed to prise it open.

The court was told he swung the machete several times, slashing the householder’s face, while his former partner looked on terrified.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said he was left with a wound to both cheeks and smaller cuts to the shoulders.

Miss Masters said despite plastic surgery, he will be left permanently scarred.

Police went to Myers’ home in Poplar Terrace the following day and found a small cannabis farm in a cupboard under the stairs.

Following questioning he was released pending further inquiries, but, while on bail he contacted his former partner, mainly in good-natured messages, but it still left her feeling uncomfortable.

Myers was arrested, again, on January 22, but was abusive and threw items at officers when he was to be taken for interview.

When he was eventually interviewed he mainly denied the allegations put to him.

But, in subsequent court hearings, Myers, 39, went on to admit wounding with intent, possessing an offensive weapon, producing a class B drug, harassment, assaulting two emergency workers, plus criminal damage to his cell.

Andrew Finlay, mitigating, said Myers, who has learning difficulties, had turned heavily to drink to help cope with personal tragedies he faced in his younger days.

On the night of the attack he found it difficult dealing with the fact his partner of four years was with a man he had been drinking with only a short time earlier, resulting in his violent reaction.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said, given his low IQ, Myers would have found it “provocative” on learning he ex-partner was sleeping with the other man so soon after the end of their relationship.

But he said whether Myers “liked it or not”, she was entitled to make the decision to sleep with who she chose.

Judge Carroll imposed an eight-year prison sentence and put a ten-year restraining order in place preventing him contacting his former partner.