A “functioning alcoholic” held a gun to his wife’s head while he held her by the throat after he became angry with her.

John Singleton, 59, was described as a functioning alcoholic by his wife of 32 years in a pre-sentence report, a stance which was upheld by sentencing judge Robert Altham.

Singleton, of Blackburn Road, Clayton-le-Moors, was said to have been struggling emotionally after his dog, Rolo, died earlier on the day of the incident.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said on March 6 Singleton was struggling to find old photos of Rolo on his phone and asked his wife for help.

After he became frustrated with her, she threw the phone back at him, which prompted him to call her an “evil f***ing bitch” and said, “you better get out of my way or I’ll f***ing kill you.”

She went upstairs to the toilet at which point Singleton burst the door open and held a gun at her.

This turned out to be a black BB gun which was unloaded and did not have any gas to power the mechanism inside.

A search of the house by police uncovered another air pistol.

Singleton was arrested and made full and frank admissions in interview.

Adam White, mitigating, said his client had “not helped his position by dealing with an emotionally challenging situation by consuming an excessive amount of alcohol.”

Mr White said Singleton has been trying to cut down his drinking and has gone from 12 cans of lager a day to around three of four.

Singleton’s daughter, Nicole Law, was invited into the stand by Judge Altham and she said since he had been living with her his drinking had minimised.

Singleton pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm and intentional strangulation.

Judge Altham, sentencing, said: “I understand you had lost your pet dog which I appreciate can be upsetting, but that cannot justify what happened next.

“You have only recently gone looking for help, that is something it seems to me you need to accelerate.

“People don’t hold a gun to their wife’s head unless there is a significant problem. You have a significant problem.”

Singleton was sentenced to 22 months in prison, suspended for 20 months.

He must complete 10 rehabilitation activity days, a Building Better Relations programme, and a five-month alcohol treatment programme.