A knife-wielding man who tried to stab his ex-partner in the neck and made chilling threats to kill her has been sent to prison.

Drunken Michael Carlton, 50, kicked his way into Vicki Ritchie's Distington home before engaging her in a sustained struggle on the night of September 6.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how he pinned Miss Ritchie against a kitchen unit then aimed three different knives, in turn, towards her throat.

As she tried to ward off the attack she grabbed hold of one blade, suffering a deep cut to her index finger which later needed stitches.

Miss Ritchie got away from Carlton and sought safety at the home of neighbours who initially thought she had been knifed in the stomach because there was so much blood.

Carlton, of Church Close, Distington, was sentenced today (MON) having admitted both unlawfully wounding his former partner of 25 years, and threatening to kill her.

A 30-month prison term was imposed by Judge Peter Davies, who concluded it was an "extremely serious example of domestic violence".