A HUNTING knife was held close to a woman’s neck after a mentally unstable man suggested an abortion for his ex-girlfriend, a court heard.

Aaron Wiggett’s former partner Laura Dance claimed to friends that he wanted her to terminate her pregnancy, said Alex Warren, prosecuting.

Wiggett followed Miss Dance from his home after a confrontation to a flat in Painswick Close, Worcester, with a five-inch blade concealed in the waistband of his trousers.

He kicked open the communal entry door of the block of flats and then got involved in a shouting match with Abigail Corbett, one of Miss Dance’s friends.

She called him ‘a paedo’ before he flew into a rage, produced the knife and ran towards her, telling her he had been in a mental hospital, said Mr Warren.

“He held the knife close to her neck. It looked sharp and she was very frightened,” he added.

Wiggett then pushed Miss Corbett over before leaving the scene. He was arrested the next evening.

The 26-year-old father of four, who lives in Cranham Drive, Worcester, pleaded guilty to having a knife in a public place, common assault and criminal damage.

Jailing him for 10 months, Recorder Geraint Walters said Wiggett needed help for mental health problems or would remain volatile.

He said: “Being confronted as the father of the child riled you, and you armed yourself. “You are a man of uneven temperament and no one knows what you’re capable of doing if you carry a knife. Fortunately you didn't use it but it must have been a terrifying scene.”

The violence happened on June 6 when Miss Dance was socialising with five friends at the flat. Communication over Facebook with Wiggett led her to go the defendant’s home around midnight.

Wiggett had a record which included possession of a samurai sword and a fish gutting knife in a public place, battery and affray, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Jason Patel, defending, said Wiggett didn’t want anything to do with the pregnancy and questioned whether he was the father of the child.

He had suffered from emotional and mental health issues for two years and had threatened suicide with knives and tried to hang himself.

Mr Patel said Wiggett had a supportive family and was waiting for an appointment with a psychiatrist. He regularly saw his children from other relationships.