A KNIFEMAN who was in a relationship with his own niece threatened two workmen with blades when they attempted to stop him attacking her.

Peter Blackburn, from Orford, punched his partner to the ground after drinking up to 10 cans of lager.

And when two nearby housing association workers intervened, the 58-year-old brandished an eight-inch kitchen knife.

Liverpool Crown Court heard this week that the pair were carrying out groundworks near to Blackburn’s home on Poplars Avenue on the afternoon of Monday, March 16, when they heard a scream coming from a communal garden.

When they went to investigate, they saw the defendant punch his niece and girlfriend to the floor before kicking her as she lay on the ground.

The workmen shouted for him to stop, to which he replied that it was ‘nothing to do with them’.

Blackburn then went into his house before reappearing with the weapon, which he was holding at waist height.

He ‘appeared angry’ and walked after the workers shouting ‘come on, come on’ when they ran away across the road.

After returning inside once more, the attacker appeared outside again and was now carrying a second knife with a rounded tip – which he ‘waved around in a jabbing motion’.

One of the victims took out a hammer in order to fend Blackburn – who appeared in court via video link to HMP Altcourse – off, with both described as being ‘very shaken and fearful’ afterwards.

He showed no emotion as he was jailed for 13 months by judge Neil Flewitt on Thursday, June 18, having admitted two counts of possession of a bladed article in a public place and affray.

A further charge of assault against his niece was ordered to lie on the file.