A JEALOUS ex-boyfriend who stabbed his former partner's new lover has been jailed.

Gareth Burns, 23, hoped for a reconciliation with Ann-Marie Jackson but "snapped" when her new man Karl Dodd opened her front door.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Burns stabbed Mr Dodd in the face and chest after attacking him with a lump of concrete.

Electricity salesman Mr Dodd spent two days in intensive care after suffering massive blood loss.

His lung collapsed nine days later and he spent a total of three-and-a-half weeks in hospital.

Miss Jackson, who had been with Burns for six years and had two children with him, has since taken him back and plans to wait for him while he serves time behind bars.

Roger Elsey, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Dodd was alone in Miss Jackson's house in West Road, Bridgehill, Consett when he heard a knock at the door and found the defendant armed with a lump of concrete.

Mr Elsey said: "He lunged at him and there was a struggle which spilled into the house.

"The defendant then grabbed a kitchen knife. Mr Dodd was frightened and picked up a knife as well, hoping to scare him off.

"There was a confrontation and the defendant stabbed Mr Dodd to his face then his chest."

The court heard that the attack continued until a neighbour called the police.

Burns was arrested and interviewed, but told police everything at the house had been a blur.

Burns was left with a wound to his left arm and lower chest.

Glen Gatland, mitigating, told the court: "He was shocked and surprised to see a man at the house at that time.

Judge David Hodson jailed Burns for three years after he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.