A PUBLIC spirited' passer-by was attacked and threatened with what he thought was a machete when he went to try and stop a wife beater', a court was told.

Matthew Woods was headbutted and then had a knife sharpener held under his chin by Joseph Conroy, 29, who asked: "Do you want me to stab you", Burnley Crown Court heard.

Mr Woods, who had gone to the aid of the defendant's partner Cassie Marshall, as Conroy beat her up in Royds Street, Accrington, was left traumatised by his ordeal.

Conroy, then living in Accrington, was in custody after the attacks, but was given bail after his father was murdered, the court was told.

At the time of the offence he had been on licence from a jail term for robbing an elderly man.

The defendant, now living with Miss Marshall in Wigan, had earlier admitted affray and two counts of common assault. He was jailed for nine months, to be served after the 195-day unexpired portion of his last sentence.

Judge Andrew Woolman told him Mr Woods had been very public spirited, the offence against him was the most serious and only custody could be justified.

Conroy had 54 previous convictions, had served 45 months for the robbery and the offences took place whilst he was at risk during licence.

Tim Storrie, defending, said Conroy had made efforts to rehabilitate and was attending Narcotics Anonymous.