A WORDSLEY man has been jailed for six years for holding a handgun against the face of his terrified ex-girlfriend after she ended their relationship.

Richard Preston - described as "jealous and obsessive"- told the woman "I would rather see you dead than with anyone else" after he thought she had been seeing another man.

David Iles, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court Preston's former partner heard a click which could have been the trigger of the gun being pulled.

He said the woman told 28-year-old Preston it was over after being subjected to a string of "unpleasant" assaults that had left her physically and emotionally damaged.

Mr Iles said: "She hoped he would change but he did not."

He said the woman made the decision to meet Preston again for dinner but she was driven to a bridle path near Enville where he produced the pistol which was not loaded but the incident was "very frightening".

Preston apologised for his actions after twice threatening her with the gun and he drove her home but four days later he assaulted her again when she was struck across the throat and had her hand bitten.

Niall Skinner, defending, said: "He accepts he was jealous and he thought she was cheating. He went, in his own words, crazy and he lost it. "

He said an apology was followed by another assault - adding: "He has a problem with anger and he has a tendency to strike out and hurt partners when things do not go his way."

Preston, of Brooklands, Wordsley, admitted assault, possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, driving while disqualified without insurance and criminal damage.

As well as jailing him - Judge Amjad Nawaz further extended his licence by three years on his release from custody and told him: "This is a horrifying catalogue of offences.

"You are a jealous and obsessive man with a violent past and a mental health history who represents a danger to the public - especially those with whom you have a relationship. You are a ticking time bomb."