A KNIFE-wielding father who “saw red” after his son was put into foster care was sentenced to 20 months in prison.

Michael Trinder, of Iffley Road, Oxford, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old admitted assault by beating, threatening behaviour and possession of a bladed article on May 31.

Prosecutor Miles Trigg said Trinder and his partner were arguing outside their Merlin Road home in the morning when three bystanders saw him grab his partner’s arm.

He said the bystanders tried to intervene, causing Trinder to go back inside his home, but he shortly returned with an eight-inch carving knife.

Mr Trigg said Trinder was “threatening with the knife”, leaving “very concerned” witnesses fearing for their welfare during the 10-minute confrontation.

Defence barrister Fiona McAddy said Trinder was on the street with a “small vegetable knife” and not the eight-inch blade seized by police from his home.

She said he was carrying the weapon because he “intended to self-harm” after finding out his partner had put their son into foster care.

Ms McAddy added: “He accepts that the three bystanders would have felt threatened. He says that he completely saw red. He lost the will to live at the time. That was what caused the argument. Mr Trinder only intended to cause himself harm.”

The defence barrister said Trinder, who has a history of self-harming, had drank alcohol that day but there was “no suggestion” he had been taking drugs.

Judge Peter Ross said: “I accept that it was a time of high emotion. You lost control of your emotions and you assaulted your partner in the street.

“The assault was witnessed by bystanders who did their best to have you desist and you did, and you returned to your home. But instead of remaining there, you decided to threaten them and you emerged from your home armed with a knife. They were terrified.

“Your counsel says you are remorseful. I do not accept that for one moment.”

Judge Ross said he would activate Trinder’s 12-week suspended sentence for a previous offence of possession of a bladed article, in full.

He said Trinder would spend “just short of 20 months” in jail after handing him a 17-month prison sentence for the new offences.