A SOLDIER who broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home and attacked her new partner “to teach him a lesson” has been jailed for three years.

Daniel Boal, of Bulford Barracks, had drunk 15 cans of beer when he raided Laura Holt’s home at 5am, brandishing a knife.

He was sentenced on Friday at Salisbury Crown Court, after previously admitting battery, actual bodily harm, criminal damage and carrying a knife.

Boal’s eight-month relationship with Miss Holt ended in March 2016, the court heard.

She started seeing another man, Lewis Robinson, in April, prompting Boal to bombard her with text messages.

The couple were at home when Boal arrived at 8pm on April 14.

Miss Holt told him to leave, and he returned to Bulford Barracks where he began drinking heavily.

But at 5am, Boal was back, banging on the door and trying to break into the house.

He smashed a pane of glass in the back door and let himself in, before entering the couple’s bedroom and telling Miss Holt: “I knew you had someone round here”.

He pushed her aside and attacked Mr Robinson.

Police arrived, after receiving calls from neighbours, and found Mr Robinson bleeding heavily with cuts and bruises to his hands, neck and head.

Officers also recovered a knife that Boal had on him.

Prosecuting, Andrew Stone, said: “The only reason he did not commit further harm was that the police arrived at the house and stopped him.

“He went in there specifically with a plan to teach this man a lesson.”

But Misbah Zahid, defending, said Boal had been suffering from PTSD, after being deeply affected by witnessing the death of a friend while they were on duty.

Ms Zahid added that Boal had stopped taking his medication shortly before the assaults took place.

Judge Keith Cutler said: “With a knife on you, I shudder to think what could have happened.

“You should not have stopped taking your medication.”

Boal was also handed a five-year restraining order.