A MAN who arrived home drunk, started cooking and then kicked a woman in the shins before allegedly threatening her with a knife has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Frederick Jackson, 47, of Clayfurlong Grove, Kemble, pleaded guilty to assault by beating but not guilty to making threats to kill at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday, December 23.

The court was told that Jackson had a problem with alcohol and returned to his family home on September 17 this year and started playing loud music.

Janine Wood, prosecuting, said: “The victim smelt cooking from her room upstairs in the house and became concerned that he was doing it while drunk. She went to investigate and discovered he was frying bacon and challenged him about what he was doing.

“His response was to kick the cooker before kicking the victim in the shins. He moved her to the sink and grabbed a knife and placed it to her neck and said, ‘I will bloody kill you’. He then stepped away. The woman was still distraught and went upstairs and called the police.

“When he was arrested and questioned by police Jackson he said he was unable to recall the events."

The court was told that this was the second occasion on which Jackson had assaulted the same woman in similar circumstances.

Natalie Goffe defending said: “Jackson is deeply remorseful over his actions. He realises he has a long-standing issue with alcohol. He has started to address his problem and hasn’t touched alcohol since the incident.

“He has already referred himself to a drug and alcohol clinic.”

The judge sentenced Jackson to three months in prison, suspended for 18 months and imposed an 18 month community order that includes 30 programme days and a six-month course of alcohol treatment.

The judge also ordered that Jackson pay a victim surcharge of £149. The prosecution did not offer any evidence to the threats to kill charge. The judge formally returned a not guilty verdict.