A KNIFEMAN who made terrifying doorstep threats ‘standing up for’ his cousin while on licence, has been jailed for 16 months.

Max Bancroft, 22, told young mother Lucy Ellerton and her partner: “I will put you six feet under. I don’t care. I have done a six-year stretch.”

He was shouting, waving the blade and she was frightened, worried he would use it, pulled her boyfriend Alan McDowell inside and shut the door, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The hearing was told Bancroft’s cousin, Kenny Mortimer, Ms Ellerton’s ex-partner, had argued with her on the phone over the children because she wanted to take them to Scotland for a long weekend, with Mr McDowell, her new man.

But, Mr Mortimer thought it was for good. Bancroft, a binge-drinking burglar, who has repeatedly targeted properties in his home village of Barrowford, was locked up for two years in March last year.

The defendant, at the time of the latest offences selling advertising space for a Colne-based magazine, has been recalled on licence and will not be released until next January.

Bancroft, of Higher Causeway, admitted affray and having a bladed article.

Prosecutor Lisa Worsley said Bancroft had a record of 36 offences.

James Heyworth, defending, said all had been going well for the defendant. His cousin Mr Mortimer thought Ms Ellerton and Mr McDowell were going to Scotland permanently and taking the children with them.

The barrister continued: “The defendant placed family loyalty above, perhaps, a more rational assessment of the evidence and decided to stand up for Kenny.”

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt told Bancroft it was very sad, as he was going to lose a great deal by getting involved out of misguided loyalty.