A FATHER-OF-SIX who attacked his terrified wife and held a knife to her throat has avoided jail - but has been warned he will go to prison if he does it again.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Mohammed Pervaiz, 48, threatened to kill victim Marie Pervaiz and accused her of having sex with another man. The couple were now living apart and were getting on better, the court was told.

Sentencing, Judge Raymond Bennett said Mrs Pervaiz had in the past sometimes been violent towards the defendant but he had gone too far.

He told Pervaiz that men must understand they must not use violence towards women and went on: "Holding a knife to somebody's throat is a dreadful thing to do, however much you may feel you were provoked."

The defendant, of Empress Street, Accrington, had earlier admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and was given 18 months community rehabilitation. He had no previous convictions.

Paul Hague, prosecuting, told the court the couple had had a turbulent relationship and Mrs Pervaiz would scream at her husband and hit him.

He said that last October, the defendant was angry after his daughter stayed out all night and because his wife had helped a neighbour, who he disapproved of.

He said the victim told Pervaiz to get out of the house and not return. He said the defendant then grabbed his wife by the hair and pulled her causing her to fall to the floor. He threatened to kill her and said he knew she was having sex with somebody else.

Mr Hague said the complainant shouted for her children to call police as Pervaiz dragged her into the kitchen and produced a large eight-inch blade.

He then held the knife to her throat and Mrs Pervaiz grabbed a piece of washing, wrapped it around the blade and tried to force it away from her.

The prosecutor said Mrs Pervaiz was so frightened she wet herself. The defendant was declaring his hate for the neighbour, wanted to know why his wife had helped her and was still holding the knife.

Pervaiz then got another knife and his wife knocked one away which caught the corner of her eye, making it bleed. The defendant left the house and told the victim: "I'm coming back to finish you off."

The police were called and Mrs Pervaiz was taken to hospital where she was found to have suffered bruises to her forehead and buttock.

David Pickup, defending, said Pervaiz and his wife were now living apart.