A JEALOUS boyfriend attacked a love rival with a metal post because he thought his girlfriend had spent the night with him, a court was told.

Daniel Roberts, 24, of Gudge Heath Lane, Fareham, stormed round to Adam Waters' home in Locks Heath on August 6 this year.

Fareham magistrates heard how Roberts threw a stone at the window to attract his girlfriend's attention.

When Mr Waters answered the door, Roberts attacked him with the pole, hitting his head and body.

Roberts then smashed the front door of the property with the pole when it was closed on him.

Roberts pleaded guilty to two charges of assault by beating, two of criminal damage and one of possessing an offensive weapon.

Hugh Darnley-Smith, defending Roberts, said: "He had a relationship since February with a young woman who he understood was spending the night with Mr Waters.

"He went to Mr Waters' house the following morning to try and find her."

The court heard how earlier that day, Roberts had an argument with his mother, Jayne Roberts, as she drove him home from a friend's house.

Andrea Hills, prosecuting, said: "They began arguing and he says he became agitated and annoyed and punched his mother on the arm.

"His mother said that he slapped her and tried to grab the steering wheel."

Mrs Roberts pulled over and her son walked home, where he then got the post from the shed before leaving for Locks Heath.

On his return to his mother's house, he continued arguing with her and kicked in a glass panel in her front door.

Ms Hills added: "His mother felt she was at the end of her tether and didn't want him at home any more."

After he was arrested, Roberts helped police officers to locate the post, which he had hidden in a hedge.

Roberts was given unconditional bail until he is sentenced on October 8.