A concerned neighbour called the police after a man threatened his partner on the doorstep of her Carlisle home.

The man involved, 33-year-old Lee Coates was heard telling the woman: "I'm going to smash your face in," Carlisle's Rickergate Magistrates' Court heard.

In court, Coates, of Raiselands Road, Morton, Carlisle, admitted using threatening behaviour.

Prosecutor Carl Gaffney agreed to withdraw an allegation of common assault after discussions with Coates' solicitor Chris Toms.

Outlining the case, Mr Gaffney said there had been an argument between the defendant and his partner on the evening of March 27, but the lawyer said he would not speculate about what happened during that earlier disagreement.

The victim did not support the prosecution.

At 10pm, said Mr Gaffney, Coates returned to his partner's home in a highly agitated state.

"And this highly agitated state was witnessed by a neighbour. One witness challenged him about his behaviour," said Mr Gaffney.

The neighbour was so concerned she contacted the police.

But Mr Toms, offering mitigation for the defendant, told magistrates: "It was a very heated argument and tempers on both sides were not so much frayed as shattered.

"The defendant left the house to avoid further issues but he went back.

"From day one, he has accepted he lost his temper and said some very unpleasant things.

"But he can't recall exactly what he said.The household has been under great stress, not simply because of the issues between the defendant and his partner.

"Third parties have been conducting a campaign of harassment against the family which has caused enormous stress for both sides.

"This has helped tempers fray.

"But the defendant is taking steps to look at his temper and he apologises to everyone involved - particularly his partner."

Magistrates imposed a 12 month community order with a requirement to complete 40 hours of unpaid work.

Coates must also pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge of the same amount.