A MAN attacked his wife and her brother and produced a knife and a baseball bat during a rumpus at home.

Burnley magistrates heard Patrick Meeks, 34, became aggressive, argued and wouldn't calm down.

He left his petrified wife Tracey, who had been holding their baby in her arms, hysterical and crying in pain and hit her brother Shaun Booth with the bat after grabbing him by the throat.

The defendant, who has no previous convictions for violence, was warned he could go to jail, after admitting two counts of assault by beating and one of having an offensive weapon, on August 22. Meeks, of Belford Street, Burnley, was bailed until October 3, for an all options open pre-sentence report.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, said Mrs Meeks was holding their two-year-old baby in her arms when the defendant got so wound up he went to punch her He then grabbed her cheeks and kissed her on the lips.

Mrs Meeks showed her husband a letter he had previously written when they had been reconciled, promising things would be different.

He became angry and tore it up.

Mr Maude said Meeks then punched her and she slapped him.

The defendant left and then appeared at the front door holding a baseball bat. He tried to hit Mr Booth and the pair squared up and started fighting. Meeks was disarmed, went back into the house and as Mrs Meeks was halfway up the stairs, he appeared at the top holding a six to seven inch bladed knife.

Mr Maude said Meeks grabbed Mr Booth by the throat and swung the bat at him and hit him.

John Rusius, defending, said Meeks was a devoted father and for some reason he could not explain he behaved in this bizarre way.

He could remember little or nothing about it and was full of regret and remorse.