AN estranged husband broke into his wife's home and threatened her with a kitchen knife when she returned from a night out.

Jealous alcoholic Thomas Mulley, 45, turned up at the house in Gleneagles Road, Sunderland, after a drinking binge in the early hours of November 2 last year.

Yesterday, Newcastle Crown Court heard that he had issued numerous threats to her before she was forced to flee from the house and hide behind a wall.

Police, who arrived a short time later, were also threatened by Mulley who was carrying a screwdriver, a lock knife and bottle of cider.

Mulley of Loft Hill, Moorside, Sunderland, admitted affray.

Robin Patton, defending, told the court that Mulley and his wife were attempting a reconciliation and she had refused to give evidence against him.

Mr Patton said: "He wants to see if they can become a family again."

Judge Esmond Faulks agreed to defer sentence for three months on Mulley, who has already served more than three months behind bars on remand