A MAN who entered his ex-partner's home uninvited pulled a knife from his sock and held it to her throat.

Blackburn magistrates heard the terrified victim managed to run out of her home with her child followed by Martin David Carroll.

He picked up a vase as he left and threw it at her car windscreen, damaging both.

Carroll, 38, of Brownhill Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a vase and a windscreen and assaulting his former partner. He pleaded not guilty to possessing a knife but was convicted in his absence when he failed to turn up at court for his trial. He was committed in custody to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced on February 25.

Paul Sumner, prosecuting, said the victim was at home with her son when the defendant walked in and confronted her.

"He asked where she had been the previous week and she told him it was none of his business and ordered him out of her home," said Mr Sumner.

"He responded by pulling a knife out of his sock and holding it against her neck."

Mr Sumner said Carroll had previous convictions for possessing a knife in 2014 and 2016, the latter resulting in a 12-month prison sentence.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had experienced some mental health issues which was why he had missed his trial.

"He is in a much better place now he is getting the help he needed," said Mr Taylor.