A CARLISLE man threatened to set fire to his former partner and her home amid a string of chilling social media messages.

Liam Gilmour, 29, had previously been in a seven-year relationship with the woman with the pair having a young child together.

In mid-April this year, Gilmour contacted his ex from a new Snapchat account, he having been blocked from an old one. He sent a number of voice notes which she recorded.

In response the woman had told him to stop “your little threats — everything is getting sent to police”.

Gilmour had responded: “You watch what is going to happen to you. I swear you are getting set on fire in your own house.”

In response to the warnings, the woman told him: “You are pathetic.”

But in phone calls and texts which followed, Gilmour told her: “You are getting your face punched in. See that house you live in: it is getting set on fire tonight.”

He also stated: “I will knock you clean out.”

Prosecutor Nick Turner told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court: “She provided police with screenshots.”

When arrested on November 8, Gilmour had a personal use amount of cocaine in his possession.

He admitted having the illegal class A drug and also pleaded guilty to two malicious communication offences. These were committed in April 16 and also July 1.

The court heard Gilmour didn’t know where the woman was currently living.

Andrew Gurney, mitigating, conceded Gilmour’s contact with the woman was 'unedifying'.

“He is truly sorry for the messages he has sent to his ex-partner,” said Mr Gurney.

After their relationship broke down, comments would be exchanged and contact blocked before the pair found new social media platforms “to insult each other”.

“He accepts the threats are totally unacceptable,” said Mr Gurney.

Gilmour wanted to “move on” and have a positive relationship with his former partner for the sake of their child. He had lost a window cleaning job as a result of court proceedings, but was due to start new employment for a gutter cleaning firm.

Gilmour, of Skiddaw Road, Carlisle, was made subject to a 12-month community order. He must undergo rehabilitation work with the probation service and complete 150 hours’ community service.

District judge John Temperley also imposed a three-year restraining order which prohibits Gilmour having direct contact with the woman.

“You need to think very carefully about your behaviour in the future' the judge told him.