Stab-threat father avoids jail

A MAN who threatened to stab his former partner in the eye with a fork must complete 150-hours of unpaid work.

Nicholas John Williams (23), of Eldon Street, pleaded guilty to punching his son’s mother in the face, dragging her along by her hair and pulling her to the ground on April 5.

He threatened, “If you carry on, you’ll get what’s coming to you.”

Rebecca Radcliffe, prosecuting, said that in a second incident on June 28, the victim saw Williams loitering outside her home but when she went to the front door he barged past her.

Oldham magistrates heard how he grabbed a hot pan off the stove and held it above his head as if to hit her with it before grabbing her by the throat and pinning her against the wall.

He also straddled her in the lounge and threatened to stab her in the eye with a fork.

Rebecca Romih, defending, said that Williams was sorry and immediately realised he was wrong.

He had wanted to talk to her but she had gone into the bathroom, so in a bid to get her attention he pulled her to the ground but admitted being out of control.

On the second occasion, Williams had received text messages from her, saying that she was seeing someone else and that their son was allowed to call him “daddy” — which made Williams see red.

Miss Romih claimed that Williams grabbed his former partner by the cardigan, not by the throat as alleged.

The chair of the bench told Williams that had he not pleaded guilty, he would have faced a custodial sentence.

Williams was given a 12-month restraining order, a 12-month community order and 12 months supervision. He must also attend a 12-day improving relationships course and complete 150 hours of unpaid work, as well as pay £85 in costs.