A man has been sentenced after meeting his ex-partner with a knife and screwdriver.

Derek Cooper, 57 of Gidlow Lane, Bolton, arrived outside of a pub where he knew his former partner was on February 1.

The prosecutor Ms Juliet Berry said: “He gestured for her to go outside and she saw the defendant holding a knife and a screwdriver.”

Ms Berry added: “He said he was not trying to scare her.”

Cooper pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon.

The court heard that Cooper has seven previous convictions.

The judge found that he had been convicted of harassment of his partner.

The defendant added that she also took out a restraining order.

Cooper was sentenced to three months imprisonment, suspended over 18 months.

He was also ordered to 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

The judge added: “You clearly do need work being undertaken with you to assist your attitude with relation to the victim.”

Judge Graeme Smith said it is unusual for a defendant to appear without representation.

In response, Cooper said: “I’ve gone down every road trying to get legal aid and I can’t get it.”