A MAN who threatened his girlfriend with a knife because she refused to have sex with him has been sent on a programme which tackles violence against women.

Shaun McGinnity, 24, attacked his partner of three years when he climbed into bed with her after staying up late to watch a boxing match.

The court heard that after grappling with Kerry Heatley, McGinnity, of School Road, Stetford, brandished a bread knife saying 'I'll get a reaction out of this".

Miss Heatley made a grab for the knife cutting her hand and required stitches.

McGinnity pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.

Suspending a six month prison sentence for 12 months Judge Peter Lakin said: "You need to control your intake of alcohol and you also need to control your temper and to change your attitude towards women and sexual relationships.

"Suffice it to say that this incident with Kerry Heatley was a very unpleasant one which is made more serious by the fact that at one stage you threatened her with a bread knife.

"As a result of your behaviour towards her and in an attempt to defend herself she sustained a cut to her hand.

"It is fortunate that her injuries were not more serious. Domestic violence of this type particularly where a knife is involved must be met by a custodial sentence.But I have decided that is is appropriate to suspend the sentence."

McGinnity was placed under supervision for two years and ordered to attend a domestic violence programme. He was also ordered to pay £300 compensation and £300 costs.

Earlier prosecuting Miss Juliet Berry said: "The complainant in this case is Kerry Heatley. She had been in a relationship at the time of this offence for a period of three years.

"On April 19 both parties went out in the Stetford area, and both consumed alcohol. They returned home and all was well.

"The defendant stayed up watching a boxing match on TV and Miss Heatley went to bed. A few hours later the defendant got into bed and indicated that he wanted to have sex with her.

"She refused and he pushed her and called her an idiot and she went to the kitchen. The defendant followed her and he grabbed her neck and put her head between the toilet and the sink.

"The defendant called her a slag and he then went back into the bedroom. She went into the bedroom and grabbed the quilt and took it to the lounge intending to sleep on the sofa.

"She told the defendant to get out to which he replied 'make me'. She went to call the police and he pulled the telephone from the socket.

"The defendant then went to the bedroom and came back out with a black bin liner. The defendant then started to call her five year old son names -who fortunately wasn't in the premises.

"She said 'You're a big hard man, calling a child names - you're not going to get a rise out of me.'

"The defendant then went into the kitchen and got a bread knife saying 'I'll get a reaction out of this'.

"The complainant was on the sofa and the defendant held the knife to her. She grabbed the blade with one hand and pushed him in the face with the other hand.

"The action of her grabbing the knife caused an injury between her thumb and index finger. She described being in pain and the defendant offered to call an ambulance.

"She refused and called her sister for help. She then heard the defendant on the phone to an ambulance saying that she had cut herself and that she had come at him with a knife.

"Her brother in law attended and he heard the defendant on the phone to the police saying that he was going to attack him.

"He called the police himself and told them that he was going to do nothing of the sort and his only intention was to pick up Miss Heatley and take her to hospital.

"Police attended and desribed the defendant as being agitated and swearing. As a result of the cut to her hand the complainant received four stiches."

Defending Miss Raquel Simpson said: "The defendant was 23 at the time and is now 24 years of age. He fully accepts that these are serious matters which he now faces.

"He fully accepts that his behaviour was wholly inappropriate and despicable. It is fair to say that he is lightly convicted but it is clear from his anticedants that there have been drinking related issues.

"These offences were commited at the time, in drink. It is an issue which he says he is starting to get to grips with. He has also conceeded that there have been two previous occasions when the police have been called out.

"He has been living with his mother in Sale since this offence but he would like and is hopeful that in due course he can resume his relationship with his partner.He accepts that this is a serious matter."