Drunk threatened to chop off his partner's arms and legs with an axe after holding weapon to her throat in attack at their home

Steven Greenhalgh has been arguing with his partner in the early hours of December 29 last year over whether he had been using heroin.

David Hewitt, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court how Greenhalgh stormed off upstairs and returned with the wooden-handled axe.

The weapon was around 80cm in length and the defendant held it to the terrified woman's neck and said: "You just need to go".

Greenhalgh then called the police himself, but handed the phone to his partner.

The 42-year-old was heard in the background threatening to chop off her arms and legs.

Police attended the property on Benson Lane, Normanton, Wakefield, and found Greenhalgh in an agitated state but trying to hide the axe.

He tried to close the door to the officers but they forced their way in and restrained him.

The defendant appeared under the influence of drink and drugs.

He admitted charges of assault and making threats to kill.

Shufqat Khan, mitigating, said: "She (his partner) gives a candid account. But this is the first time such an incident has occurred.

"This is wholly out of character for this 42-year-old man. His words to me were 'I have brought this all on myself'.

"He knows there is no excuse for this behaviour. He can't explain why he lost his temper."

Greenhalgh was given an eight-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 100 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Simon Phillips QC said: "You behaved in a way that was entirely out of character and can be described as an isolated incident.

"You have not previously harmed or threatened her."