A FATHER who assaulted a police officer and threatened his partner with a kitchen knife has been spared jail.

Keith Blurton had been out drinking with his family at a Spondon pub when the incident happened in February.

Derby Crown Court was told that the 29-year-old and the rest of the party did not leave the pub "in the best of spirits".

After returning home, Blurton, of Nairn Avenue, Chaddesden, got into an argument with his partner.

She then left the house with their 18-month-old child and her two children from a previous relationship.

James Allen, prosecuting, told the court that as his partner was leaving, Blurton came out holding a kitchen knife.

He said: "The defendant went towards her. He was carrying a knife and was making threats towards her, saying if she took the children he would 'do her'."

Mr Allen told the court that Blurton's step-father intervened and persuaded him to put the knife down.

Blurton's partner then contacted the police and when the officer arrived Blurton became aggressive and assaulted him.

He admitted affray, possession of a bladed article and common assault.

Stuart Newsam, in mitigation, said his actions had been "out of character" in the context of his four-and-a-half year relationship with his partner.

Blurton was handed a community order, an 18-month supervision order, put under a three-month curfew from 7pm until 7am and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £150 in compensation to the police officer.