A MAN threatened his partner's father - a prison governor - with an eight-inch carving knife during a family row.

Steven Thorn appeared before Droitwich magistrates charged with affray after threatening Lincoln Stockdale with two kitchen knives.

The incident happened after Thorn's then partner Deborah Ellison returned to her home in Evesham's Deacle Place with her father after Thorn had been waiting for her.

Mark Soper, prosecuting yesterday, told magistrates the 33-year-old woman had become frightened after telephone conversations with Thorn so asked her father, a governor at Long Lartin maximum security prison, to accompany her home.

But he added the argument came to a head and Thorn raced into the kitchen and grabbed the knives.

"The defendant was asked to leave as there were concerns about the way he was behaving," he said.

"He seemed to be beside himself with rage towards Mr Stockdale. He rushed into the kitchen and returned with the knives.

"Mr Stockdale said he was in genuine fear for his and his daughter's safety. But his daughter jumped between them and pushed Mr Stockdale out on to the street to stop the situation getting worse."

Thorn, aged 20, of Alexandra Road, Evesham, admitted affray.

Barry Newton, defending, said his client overreacted but did not intend to use the knives.

"If he had intended to use the knives, his ex-partner jumping between them wouldn't have stopped him," he said.

"My client had became very upset about communication between him and his partner.

"The relationship had been volatile and they had agreed to have a meal.

"But it got later and later before she returned and when she did it was with her father telling him to leave."

He added his client's reactions had been "inappropriate" but said Thorn was a "painfully insular and private person" who found it difficult to communicate.

"My client needs help as well as punishment," he said.

Magistrates sentenced Thorn to three months' youth custody.