STUART ROUND

DARLINGTON CHEF THREATENED ESTRANGED PARTNER WITH KNIFE

A chef who threatened to slit the throat of his estranged partner has walked free from court.

Stuart Round repeatedly drove past her home and on one occasion dragged a large carving knife across his own throat while miming that he was going to ‘kill her’.

The 49-year-old then drove away from the victim’s home leaving her terrified, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Emily Jenkins, prosecuting, said Round had an argument with the woman hours before driving past her home and making the threatening gesture.

“He was seen to be holding a large carving knife,” she said.

“He then pulled the knife across his throat miming to her ‘I’m going to kill you’.

“He drove back and forth across the property and shouted abuse at one stage.” The incident had left the woman terrified and anxious he would do the same again.

In police interview, he said he was a chef and carried the knife around as part of his job.

Round, of Woodlands Green, Middleton St George, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and was convicted of making threats with a bladed article in a public place.

Judge Edward Legard sentenced Round to two years in prison suspended for two years and ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Round was also ordered to pay £150 towards court costs and was made subject of a five-year restraining order.