Drunken Lee Delahunty turned up at his former partner's house armed with two knives and shouted: "Get your boyfriend out here now. I have got something for him."

Delahunty, 40, had gone to his former partner's home in Water Lane, Watford in the afternoon of Sunday, February 13, to see his two children.

But, St Albans crown court heard yesterday (Tuesday), she refused to let him see them because she thought he was intoxicated.

He left the scene but returned 30 minutes later with two kitchen knives and asked to see her new boyfriend John Moore. He shouted: "Get your boyfriend out here now. I have got something for him. "

The woman, Mr Moore and the children stayed inside as Delahunty knocked on the kitchen window with the knives, still shouting for him to come outside.

The police were called and he was arrested.

He was bailed but ended up spending 60 days on remand in custody after breaching an order not to contact the woman. He had phoned her to ask to see the children.

Delahunty, of Field End Close, Watford, pleaded guilty to affray and having an offensive weapon. The court heard he had previous convictions including assault and being drunk and disorderly.

Imran Khan, defending, said Delahunty acknowledged the relationship was over. He said he had lost his job as a supervisor since being held in prison.

Judge John Plumstead passed a 12 month jail sentence suspended for two years and ordered him to not to contact his former partner or go to Water Lane, Watford for two years.

He will be allowed contact with his children through an approved third party.

Delahunty told the judge: "It was a moment of madness that day." He said he loved his children.

The judge described his behaviour as "self indulgent and emotional", telling him his children were not his possessions.