A POLICE officer was thrown into a main road after a father driving with his three children in the back of the car fled the scene of an “extremely scary” domestic incident.

Stephen Yoxall, 30, threatened to kill his girlfriend while armed with a crowbar before striking a car numerous times with the metal tool witnessed by alarmed neighbours who dialled 999.

The unemployed builder was forced to leave a house in Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, after demanding to speak to his partner who had slept at her sister’s house to avoid an argument.

His aggressive behaviour left his girlfriend “petrified” on May 30 and he was heard saying he would “f****** kill her” before police arrived at High Barnes.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday that Yoxall, who has moved to live with family on Porchester Road, Sunderland, had driven with his children to see his girlfriend who had not to returned home the night before.

Laura Johnson, prosecuting, said: “She went to her sister’s to keep the peace. But at about 10.30am, she was still in bed at her sister’s and heard banging at the door.

“She heard the defendant inside the house and he came up the stairs, but he has been made to leave by her brother-in-law.

“She kept looking out of the landing window and went down to the living room when Mr Yoxall came back into the house with a crowbar and said he was going to kill her if she didn’t get in the car.

“She was petrified and was standing behind the door before he was forced to leave by her sister and husband.”

Yoxall – who also cared for two of his partner’s children from a previous relationship – left High Barnes in a Vauxhall Zafira and injured a Durham Police officer.

Mrs Johnson added: “He refused to stop and said 'no' when asked to – the vehicle did stop so the officer grabbed the car door handle, but he drove forwards.

“The officer lost his grip and was thrown into the main road of High Barnes.

“He was taken to hospital where a nurse had to cut off his wedding ring to treat a wound to his finger and the ring has been damaged beyond repair.”

Yoxall said it was a “heat of the moment” decision in police interview and Peter Hamill, mitigating, said his client was remorseful for his actions.

The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to affray, assaulting a police constable, criminal damage and careless driving.

He was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, six points on his driving licence and ordered to pay £600 in compensation and court costs – including £200 for the broken wedding ring.

Yoxall is subject to a two-year restraining order and must complete 100 hours unpaid work.