A “loving, caring, gentle” boyfriend turned into a thug who imprisoned his girlfriend and terrified two children and a neighbour before attacking a policeman.

Matthew Thompson, 38, exploded with rage after being challenged over a flirty text found on his mobile phone and refused to let his girlfriend and two children leave his flat in Ethelbert Road, Cliftonville.

A struggle ensued which involved his partner trying to leave, but she was dragged back inside by her hair.

Thompson remained in a fit of rage even as emergency services arrived, Canterbury Crown Court heard.

His victim described him as normally loving and gentle, but a judge jailed Thompson for 18 months.

He pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, three assault charges and making threats to kill.

Prosecutor Michael Hillman told the court how Thompson tried to keep his partner inside the flat, ordering her to sit down and slamming a door shut.

She fled and got as far as a communal door before he grabbed her by the throat and dragged her back inside.

Mr Hillman added that, during the struggle, the mother tried to bite Thompson to get away, but received several blows from him.

She and the children eventually got out by running down the street as a neighbour, Albert
Harvey, went to her aid, only to be confronted by the thug who snarled: “Do you want some as well?”

Even after police arrived, Thompson carried on his rampage by attacking an officer.

Kerry Waitt, defending, said the relationship had been “volatile” and his mood changes were down to him quitting cannabis.

He said there had been “an explosion of rage” and Thompson admitted his behaviour was appalling.

He was ordered to stay away from his victim until further notice.