Man threatened ex-partner with Rambo knife during assault

Lee Hartshorn could not accept the break up of his 20-year marriage, a judge heard.

The wife found the 42-year-old on the doorstep of a relative’s house, where she was living while looking for a new address, on June 1, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

“He stood two metres from her, was holding a “Rambo” knife and his face was red with anger, “ said Mr Simon Hanns, prosecuting who continued: “Then he said in a quiet and firm voice ‘get back to the (family) house.’ She was terrified.”

She did as she was told and the couple travelled to the Bilston address in separate vehicles.

Once at the house he issued the threat against the man who he blamed for the split, the court heard.

Hartshorn also smashed a hole in a wall and shattered a mirror before a blow to his wife’s chin sent her head crashing into a door frame, revealed Mr Hanns.

He concluded: “She thought she was going to die when he placed both hands round her neck and squeezed so hard she could not speak.”

Two members of the public intervened after seeing the disturbance and he left the scene afterwards.

He also cut up underwear he had bought for her on another occasion.

The self employed plasterer admitted everything when interviewed by police following his arrest on July 14.

His wife said in a statement: “His behaviour towards me is deteriorating and I am scared by what he might do next.”

Glenn Cook, defending, maintained: “These were very emotional moments for him because he did not react well to the break up of the marriage.”

The defendant from Prouds Lane, Bilston admitted possession of a bladed article, assault, criminal damage and sending an indecent communication.

Hartshorn was given a 15-month jail sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay £330 compensation for the damage he caused together with £425 costs.

Judge Simon Ward told him: “You were an angry man who began behaving in a very worrying way but I accept that this was out of character.”