Published at 16:13, Thursday, 21 March 2013

A FATHER took hold of a kitchen knife and told his partner he would stab her in their home, a court heard.

Sarah Wainwright had told Brian John Mawhinney “if you touch me again, I’ll stab you” after he pulled her hair during a row over an ex-boyfriend.

Mawhinney, 39, went downstairs to the kitchen and returned with a nine-inch chopping knife and told her: “I’ll stab you first.”

He did not brandish the weapon and soon put it back in the drawer, but was arrested after Ms Wainwright called the police and was found hiding in a nearby backyard.

Mrs Lisa Hine, prosecuting, told Furness Magistrates’ Court the couple have been in a relationship for around five years and have a young daughter.

The incident happened at their Barrow home on the morning of February 23.

The day before, Ms Wainwright had family members around while Mawhinney was away in Leeds watching a rugby match.

Ms Wainwright had drank around two bottles of wine and Mawhinney told police he had drank all day. In the morning, they resumed an argument which started when Mawhinney returned home and woke up Ms Wainwright. She refused to cuddle him and, in a row over an ex-boyfriend, Mawhinney pulled Ms Wainwright by the hair and said: “If you want to be with him, then go and get him.”

The threats over the knife then followed.

Mr Trystan Roberts, defending, said there was “no suggestion at all” Mawhinney brandished the knife. Mr Roberts said: “He stood at the bedroom door and it’s quite clear from her statement he’s kept it by his side. There’s no suggestion he’s walked towards her or pointed it at her. As he said, he was making a point towards her.”

Mawhinney, of Mount Pleasant, admitted assault.

He was sentenced to 120 days in prison, suspended for 12 months.

As part of a 12-month supervision order he must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and attend awareness sessions focusing on alcohol and relationships. He must pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk