ANDREW Seed told police to take his wife away or he would stick a knife in her throat, a court heard.

Blackburn magistrates were told the threat came during an early morning domestic dispute which ended with Seed being handcuffed and taken away threatening to kill himself.

Seed, 36, of Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, pleaded guilty to affray.

He was put on probation for 12 months with a condition that he attend the domestic violence prevention programme.

Lucinda Leeming, prosecuting, said that on the night of the incident Mrs Seed had been out with a friend and when she returned Seed was waiting for her in a drunken state.

"There was an argument and the defendant was aggressive towards his wife," said Miss Leeming. "His aggression was caused by his jealousy and possessiveness towards his wife."

Miss Leeming said Seed became increasingly agitated until eventually, without warning, he seemed to "explode."

"During this outburst he told her to leave or he would kill her," said Miss Leeming.

When the police arrived at 3.40am, Mrs Seed and her six year old daughter were both crying.

Seed said his wife's behaviour was unacceptable and asked the police to remove her.

He shouted: "Take her away or I will stick a knife in her throat. She won't be here in the morning. Take her away or I will be in prison for the rest of my life."

"All this was said in front of their daughter," said Miss Leeming, who revealed that Seed had no previous convictions.

Kevin Preston, defending, said the incident had been blown out of all proportion. He said the couple had been married for nine years and recently had difficulties. "They came to an agreement whereby his wife would have a bit more freedom," said Mr Preston. "She had gone out with her friend and he looked after their daughter.

"He was sat having a drink when she came home at 1.30am, although he was not expecting her until after 3am and after a verbal argument they couple went to bed.

"There they had sex and afterwards, as he was dozing off, she hit him and, in words that I will not repeat, said he was beginning to annoy her," said Mr Preston. "There was another argument during which he pulled off his wedding ring and threw it on the floor before going downstairs and calling the police. He said they should come and get her or he might do something he would regret."

Mr Preston said Seed had been arrested for the first time in his life and taken away wearing his underwear and dressing gown. He was charged on the Sunday morning but kept in custody until appearing in court on the Monday.

"When he ultimately got home his wife had gone," said Mr Preston. "There was not any violence used in this incident, it was a domestic, verbal argument. My client was insistent that he would plead guilty to the charge of affray, not in accordance with my advice."