'I hope you die slowly': Violent dad held knife to his partner's throat in attack on Christmas Day morning

Kieran Cressey, 24, accused the woman of cheating on him as he subjected her to domestic violence as their five-month-old baby slept at their home in Wakefield.

Leeds Crown Court heard the couple had a turbulent relationship and Cressey showed up unannounced at her house at 6pm last Christmas Eve.

Joe Culley, prosecuting, said the couple went to bed together and the woman woke up to find Cressey on top of her, holding a knife to her throat.

Cressey accused her of being unfaithful and said: "Do not shout, do not scream. Tell me the truth."

He threatened to kill her if she admitted cheating on him.

The woman tried to fight him off and get to her phone but he put his hand over her mouth and a pillow over her face.

He took the belt out of her dressing gown and wrapped it around his hands, as if he was going to put it around her neck.

The victim managed to push him off.

Cressey slapped her across the face.and threatened to post naked photos of her on Facebook.

He told her he had text a prostitute who would have sex with him in front of her.

Mr Culley said the defendant also left a note at the end of the bed, saying he hoped she died slowly.

Officers went to the property and arrested Cressey. He winked at the victim as he was being taken away.

Cressey, of Clifton Road, Horbury, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault.

He has six previous convictions for nine offences, including affray.

James Littlehales, mitigating, said his client has been in custody since the incident and had pleaded guilty at an early stage.

Cressey was given a 22-week prison sentence.

Judge Mushtaq Khokhar said: "This was a disgraceful incident - a sustained assault on a defenceless female in her own home - someone you had a relationship with, someone who was the mother of your child.

"It must have been absolutely frightening for her - what she faced at your hands.

"Whether it was drink or drugs, I do not know, but it is not behaviour of a loving partner."

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