A WOMAN returning from a night out was confronted in her own home by her ex-partner who had broken in.

Blackburn magistrates heard Elliot Brown was bare chested and covered in blood.

The victim was terrified when he took a large kitchen knife out of the block and began waving it at her.

Brown, 24, of Radford Avenue, Darwen, pleaded guilty to damaging a window and assault on a limited basis. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report and for a hearing when evidence will be called to establish the facts.

Janice Vallance, prosecuting, said the victim had returned home from a night out with friends and one of them was staying with her. The friend went upstairs to the bathroom and she went into the kitchen.

"She was standing with her back to the living room when she heard what she thought was her friend coming back down stairs," said Miss Vallance. "She was shocked when he turned and saw the defendant."

Brown started shouting at his ex-partner and then picked up the knife and waved it towards her.

"She said she was frightened he was going to stab her," she added.

Aftab Bakhat, defending, said his client did not accept using the knife to threaten the victim or in any way waving it towards her.

"He was threatening to use it to harm himself and no more," said Mr Bakhat.