A FATHER who threatened his girlfriend with a knife in front of their two children when his life fell apart, is behind bars for two years.

Brian Riley, 27, burst into his estranged partner Melissa Hurd's bedroom armed with a baseball bat and the knife and threatened to kill her.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the defendant later punched the mother of his children in the face when he wanted her to drop charges.

He then set about her car with an axe and shunted Miss Hurd's mother's vehicle.

Sentencing, Judge Lesley Newton said although betwen 1992 and 1998, he was repeatedly offending, Riley had stayed out of trouble when he met Miss Hurd.

He had then been hard working and done his best to be a good father, but had gone back to crime again when his relationship hit trouble.

The judge said Miss Hurd must have been absolutely terrified when the defendant burst into her home.

She said although Miss Hurd did not want Riley to go to prison and she was reflecting her views in sentencing, only custody could be justified.

Judge Newton said the prison term would have been a lot longer but for the victim's intervention.

The defendant, of Redearth Road, Darwen, was convicted of affray, making a threat to kill, driving while disqualified allegations and witness intimidation.

John O'Shea, prosecuting, said after the defendant burst into Miss Hurd's home, he held the knife to her head and told her: "I will kill you. I will do 15 years for you."