A YOUNG father threatened three generations of his family, including his nine-week-old baby daughter, with an eightinch bladed knife, a court was told.

Paul Bell, 20, had an argument with his girlfriend on October 10 last year, Durham Crown Court heard.

When her parents arrived, he started abusing the whole family and threatening them with a small knife.

But he then went into the kitchen and picked up the larger knife, Vince Ward, prosecuting, said.

Bell chased his partner’s father down the street.

By the time Bell returned to the house, his partner and her mother – along with the baby – had sought refuge by locking themselves in a car.

But Bell smashed the rear window, showering all three inside with glass.

Fortunately, his baby daughter was wrapped in a blanket, the court heard.

Bell then cracked the front windscreen, smashed a wing mirror and tried to smash side windows, causing £852 of damage, before running off.

Afterwards, his partner’s mother said she was afraid all three would be stabbed and killed.

Bell, of Elliott Street, Sacriston, County Durham, admitted affray, criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon.

He also admitted a public order offence and breaching a suspended sentence arising from an earlier incident, in Sacriston, on September 9 last year, in which he had threatened a girl and her boyfriend with a four-inch knife.

Tony Davis, for Bell, said his client had been taking an antianxiety drug, but was now drug free, had completed many courses during the seven-and-a-half months he had already spent in prison and wanted to lead his life in a new direction.

No physical assault was committed, he added.

Sentencing, Recorder Peter Atherton told Bell: “You went on the most incredible crime spree.

“I can’t let you out immediately.

I have to pass a sentence that reflects the seriousness of this.”

Bell was sentenced to two years in a young offenders’ institution.

“When you come out, hopefully you’ll have managed to kick some of your drug-fuelled temper,” Recorder Atherton added.