A man who snapped over a "trivial" argument before threatening his partner of a few years at knifepoint has been jailed as, “a dangerous offender”.

Durham Crown Court heard that defendant Shaun Denny has a previous conviction on his record for making a knife threat and attacking a former partner.

He was before the court for events at the family home, in Billy Row, Crook, on the morning of July 26.

Tabitha Buck, prosecuting, heard that Denny seemed to be annoyed at his partner for getting up early that day and refusing his request to go back to bed.

The Northern Echo: Defendant Shaun Denny considered to pose a risk of harm to future partners

He reacted angrily, shouting aggressively, and followed her down to the kitchen.

Read more: County Durham man launched drunken knife attack on now ex-partner

in the incident that followed he told her it was, “all your fault”, adding: “I just want to kill you now”, as he grabbed a knife and walked towards his partner pointing it in her direction.

Miss Buck said the terrified woman shouted: “No”, and grabbed the knife to move it away from her.

Denny told her to leave and she did so in a highly distressed manner, reporting the incident to a neighbour, who alerted the police.

When officers reached the house, Denny was still shouting angrily, and, having been arrested, he refused to answer police questions later in the day.

But by the following day, when he appeared before magistrates, he admitted offences of making threats to kill, plus three of assault and one of manual strangulation, all arising from the incident.

The case was sent to the crown court to be sentenced, following preparation of a background report on Denny by the Probation Service.

Read more: County Durham man now given restraining order on top of suspended sentence imposed last month

A victim impact statement was read to the court on behalf of his now ex-partner, who viewed proceedings remotely, via video link.

She said the incident had left her feeling, “lost and sad”.

In her statement she asked the defendant why he reacted as he did that day, making her so fearful.

She said she had left the family home in case the defendant turned up at the doorstep, even though he has remained in custody since the incident.

The sentencing hearing was told 29-year-old Denny has 13 convictions for 25 offences, including making threats to kill and wounding, relating to a former partner, for which he was jailed in 2014.

Duncan McReddie, in mitigation, said in the pre-sentence report prepared for the sentencing hearing, the defendant made full admissions without seeking to “minimise” or “trivialise” his offending.

“He’s truly remorseful, embarrassed and ashamed at his appearance before the court today.

“Those are sentiments that are said genuinely and which are not self-serving.”

Mr McReddie said although there was no mitigation over his actions, “it’s clear Shaun Denny is a troubled man who has lost complete control.”

He referred to the defendant’s own troubled upbringing, but he said during the inevitable long period of custody he is now facing the defendant hopes to, “improve himself and address his issues”.

Mr McReddie said the defendant has already acquired a coveted cleaning role in prison and is training to be a “listener” to help other troubled inmates.

Recorder Tom Moran said the defendant seemed to lose control that morning following, “a fairly trivial argument.”

He told Denny: “Your reaction to that appears to have been completely disproportionate.

“Why you were so angry and out of control is not clear.

“Why you can lose your temper for so little reason is worrying.”

Recorder Moran said although the defendant had a difficult childhood and was said to have a diagnosis of ADHD, it was worrying that even he could not identify what triggered his behaviour that day.

He said he agreed with the probation report finding of the potential harm posed by the defendant, particularly to future partners, and so he passed an extended determinate sentence, due to the dangerousness posed by Denny.

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The sentence passed features a 52-month (four years and four months) custodial element, of which the defendant must serve at least two-thirds before he can be considered for parole.

When he is released he will be subject to three years’ extended licence period.

Denny was also made subject of a ten-year restraining order, prohibiting contact or approaches to his ex-partner.