POLICE were called to a report of a man in his former partner's home armed with a knife.

Blackburn magistrates heard when officers entered the house they saw Karlea-Jo Smith at the top of the stairs persuading Leighton Jake Hodson to hand over the weapon.

Another female had also been in the house and she described her terror when Hodson held the knife towards her.

But he denied ever threatening anyone with the blade.

Hodson, 26, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assaulting Karlea-Jo Smith causing her actual bodily harm, assaulting Brittany Buck, assaulting an emergency worker in the execution of her duty and two charges of criminal damage. The case was adjourned for a special hearing when evidence will be called to establish the facts.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said the first criminal damage was committed in April when Hodson turned up at his former partner's home in the early hours and started banging on the door and shouting for her to let him in.

She eventually opened the bedroom window and told him to leave or she would call the police. He responded by throwing stones at the window until it smashed.

The other offences were committed on Friday at Miss Smith's home in Thirlmere Close, Blackburn. When police arrived the door was open but entrance was restricted by a TV which had been thrown down the stairs.

Miss Smith was at the top of the stairs and Hodson complied with her request to hand her the knife. She passed it on to the police and he was arrested.

Hodson was arrested and as he was being taken to a secure van kicked out catching a female officer on the leg.

Miss Smith told the officers she returned home to find her living room had been trashed and the TV thrown down the stairs.

"He started shouting abuse at her and then grabbed her round the throat," said Mrs Yates.

"She couldn't breathe and at the same time he was punching her in the face. When her friend tried to intervene he pulled out a large knife and pointed it at her before running upstairs."

Miss Buck said when Hodson came towards her with the knife she was terrified and thought he was going to assault her," said Mrs Yates.

"She ran from the house to raise the alarm. The defendant later admitted he had been drinking and taking cocaine."

Craig McKenzie, defending, said his client denied threatening anyone with the knife.