A DRUNKEN thug who threw his partner down the stairs before swinging an axe at police officers has been jailed.

Michael Spencer, 31, of Unity Street, Barnoldswick, launched an attack on Katie Spencer after accusing her of cheating, Burnley Crown Court was told.

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Spencer, once a successful showjumper, was jailed for 40 months. He admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault with intent to resist arrest, and threatening to cause damage to property.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, described how Spencer returned home from the pub at 1.45am on Saturday, January 24 when he accused Miss Spencer of cheating. After she began to follow him upstairs, Spencer pushed her down the steps. He butted her several times in the face, and bit her ear and her toes, drawing blood.

Miss Spencer called police and went back upstairs but Spencer followed her and continued his attack, Mr Parker said. After pushing her on to a bed, Spencer held a knife to her throat, causing her to cut her fingers as she fought him off.

When police arrived, Spencer went downstairs and let officers inside before going into the lounge and pretending to tend to coals in the fire.

Mr Parker said: “The officers said to stand up and turn around. When he did, he had an axe in his hand. They told him to put the axe down and drew their Pava spray. Spencer went into a fighting stance and put his head down.”

Spencer swung the axe after being sprayed in the face while, unbeknown to the officers, Miss Spencer escaped via the back door. Spencer grabbed a chainsaw as backup arrived, and threatened to burn the house down.

Defending, Richard Taylor said Spencer “accepts the enormity of what he has done and experiences considerable remorse and shame”.

Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Gibson said: “Bearing in mind the assessment of the probation officer, you are a dangerous offender.”

Spencer was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120.