A MAN who was paranoid his wife had cheated on him in the marital bed took a chainsaw to the covers while she was in it.

Blackburn magistrates heard the terrifying incident came to an end when the bedsheets wrapped around the chain and the machine stalled.

The court was told Anthony Fancy then put down the saw, went downstairs and waited for the police to arrive.

Fancy, 52, of West Field Road, Barnoldswick, pleaded guilty to affray. He was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for 12 months, ordered to do 20 days' rehabilitation and 80 hours' unpaid work.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Fancy, who had no previous convictions, had been drinking and his wife, Sarah Ford-Fancy, said there had been a row in the bedroom.

“She said he got dressed and left but came back minutes later,” said Mrs Mann. “The bedroom door burst open and he was standing there with the chainsaw, which was running, in his hands.

“He started slashing down on the bed, cutting the sheets until the blade got snagged and the motor stalled.”

Miss Mann said Mrs Ford-Fancy’s adult son had come in from watching football at about the time of the incident and heard Fancy swearing.

“He then heard the noise of the chainsaw and his mother screaming for him to call the police,” said Mrs Mann.

“He was terrified when he tried to protect his mum and since the incident has had nightmares about the defendant trying to enter the house.”

Mrs Mann said since the incident Mrs Ford-Fancy had sent a letter to the prosecution saying her husband had never done anything to harm her in the nine and a half years they had been together.

“She says he is her best friend, soul mate and confidante,” said Mrs Mann.

“She said she didn’t want to hurt him and that it wasn’t true she had been sharing their bed with another man. She says she has missed her husband and wants to get the marriage back on track.”

Glen Smith, defending, said his client had no doubt his wife had been unfaithful.

“The only moot point was the location,” said Mr Smith. “Instead of confronting her in a calm and sober frame of mind he drank and allowed his feelings of betrayal to take over. He couldn’t cope with the feelings.”

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Mr Smith said his client’s focus had been entirely on the bed. “He had no intention of harming her or her son but one can only imagine the fear they both felt,” he said.