A DAD who brandished a foot-long carving knife at the mother of his child has been spared jail.

Burnley Crown Court was told how part-time window cleaner Martin Carroll, 32, told his on/ off partner Jordan Greenwood that he would stab her if she did not let him in.

When officers arrived they found Carroll covered in blood alone in the home, with Jordan having fled.

It was unsure if he had cut himself.

He was unco-operative with police, who thought he was under the influence of drink, drugs or both because of his erratic behaviour and threatened to Taser him.

When he was arrested, he threatened: “Tell Jordan I will smash her face in for this.”

Despite that, the hearing was told the pair may reconcile.

Carroll – who has 58 offences on his record, including violence, and has had drink and drug problems – admitted possessing a blade in a public place on May 28.

The defendant, of Longton Road, Padiham, was sentenced to 10 months in custody, suspended for two years, with two years’ supervision, the Building Better Relationships programme and 100 hours’ unpaid work.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said Ms Greenwood thought her life was in danger. The defendant had threatened her before, but he had never waved a knife and she was very scared.

Miss Greenwood escaped, driving off with their baby as Carroll came running out.

Nick Dearing, defending, said he conceded his behaviour had been utterly disgraceful.

Judge Ian Leeming, QC, said: “This is a rather shocking offence.”

However, he also accepted Carroll was addressing his problems.