A KNIFEMAN spared jail by a judge returned to court and asked to be sent to prison.

Mark Bailey, 27, had been given a suspended custodial sentence after flouting a community order.

But he told the probation service he would not comply with it and was returned to the dock and was jailed for six months.

Bailey, who had been given the community order for brandishing a knife at his girlfriend, admitted breach or the order, imposed for affray and damage.

Recorder Martin Walsh told the defendant it had been a "flagrant breach" and there had been a "woeful history of compliance" with the order. Jailing him, he said: "You shall have your wish."

The court was told Bailey, of Girvan Grove, Burnley, had earlier been given eight months supervision with 150 hours unpaid work. He had then been given 50 further hours for breaching the order and had done 58-and-a-half hours out of 200.

Bailey had been given the sentence after his then partner had become aware of rumours of his drug use and infidelity.

The defendant had become aggressive, threatened to smash her face in and produced a knife. He pointed it at her chin and told her he would slit her throat.

Tim Storrie, defending, said Bailey's performance on the unpaid work had been very poor.

The defendant came from a loving home, but had not begun adult life with much in the way of advantages. He had very many positive attributes and had the promise of work. Mr Storrie added: "He wants stability, wants a future and wants to be trusted."