A MAN who was at the centre of a stand-off with armed police after attacking his partner with an ornamental Samurai sword was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

John Piggins kicked open the door of Dawn Elliott's home in Leadgate before confronting her in the bedroom with the sword.

During the incident he stabbed her just above the knee, inflicting a half-inch deep wound, and also struck her on the arm with the weapon, before she ran bleeding from the house at around 3am on June 25.

Piggins, 32, who had earlier confronted Ms Elliot in an incident as she played darts with members of her family in a local pub, was left in the house with the couple's 15-year-old son.

Durham Crown Court was told that although armed officers arrived and surrounded the premises, in Willow Crescent, it was more than nine hours later when Piggins emerged and was arrested in the street.

David Crook, prosecuting, said apart from the knee injury, which remains painful, Ms Elliott received other cuts and bruises, and still suffers flashbacks of the moment Piggins ran at her with the sword.

Mr Crook said Ms Elliott's 15-year relationship with Piggins was 'on and off' while the court also heard it was at times 'volatile.'

Piggins, of Cross Street, Leadgate, admitted wounding Ms Elliott at a previous hearing.

Richard Bloomfield, for Piggins, said it could only just be considered wounding as the stab injury was around the size of a 5p coin.

But he conceded: "I have to accept it must have been absolutely terrifying to the woman concerned."

Mr Bloomfield said its origins were 'in drink-fuelled anger' but had the police gone into the house immediately the stand-off would not have taken place and the case would not have attracted such publicity, which he described as over-kill.

He said although Piggins had a separate address he was still a key-holder to the house, but had to force his way in that night, as Ms Elliott left her key in the door.

Jailing him, Judge Tony Lancaster told Piggins it was 'a grave offence' which must have proved 'extremely frightening' to Ms Elliott.

The judge also ordered destruction of the sword