A JEALOUS husband trashed the house of a Somerset cricketer he believed was having an affair with his wife.

Builder John Matthews caused around £9,000 damage at the Taunton home of opening batsman Neil Edwards, who was playing against South Africa at the time.

Before leaving, Matthews, 50, of Polmor Road, Crowlas, Penzance, pinned a note to the cricketer’s door saying his wife, Pam, had confessed to an affair, which Edwards denies.

Matthews yesterday (Wednesday) admitted at Taunton Deane Magistrates’ Court causing more than £5,000 worth of damage at Edwards’ home in Inkerman Court, Taunton.

During his orgy of destruction, Matthews: *sawed a bed in half; *cut up curtains; *poured expanding foam down toilets and the bath; *poured creosote over furniture.

He also chipped the bath and scratched a plasma television, although he claimed that was accidental.

Jeremy Oliver, prosecuting, said the two had been friends for years and that Edwards became friendly with Mrs Matthews after her mother became ill.

Matthews confronted Edwards after hearing rumours of an affair.

Mr Oliver said: “Mr Edwards said, ‘I told him I had no interest in Pam in that way’.”

But Matthews, who previously carried out work at Edwards’ home, suspected the cricketer of continuing an affair and drove to Taunton on July 1, when he caused the damage “on the spur of the moment”.

Mr Oliver said: “Mr Matthews said he let himself in to undo all the work he’d done on the property.”

Samuel Cooper, defending, said there was “some background to the case” and “it isn’t a straightforward and simple matter”.

The case was adjourned for reports until Tuesday, August 19 and Matthews was released on conditional bail.

THE note Matthews pinned to Edwards’ front door read: “Pam has just told me all about the affair. I told you I would smash you and your house if it carried on after April. You have had your fun – now take the punishment. If you play with fire, expect to be burnt. This is Phase One – I will meet up with you to carry out Phase Two.”