A PENSIONER who terrorised his ex-wife in a 30-minute knife ordeal has been given a two-year conditional discharge by magistrates.

Cancer victim Herbert Allison, 77, terrified his estranged wife Anita by scraping a knife on her lounge window.

Threatening to stab the 75-year-old, Allison, of Thornbank, Melksham, then told relatives he would stab himself in the incident on Christmas Day.

Trowbridge magistrates heard how the couple had married twice but had recently split up again because of Allison's abusive behaviour.

Michelle Hewitt, prosecuting, said the couple went to their daughter's for Christmas dinner but Mrs Allison fled after her husband hurled abuse.

Warned by her daughter that Allison was on his way to her home, she hid under bed sheets, but was confronted by her drunken husband.

He punched her several times in the face before running out of the house with a kitchen knife.

Mrs Hewitt said: "He was scraping it on the glass and making threats. This incident lasted for 30 minutes. She was in fear for her life. "

Allison had moved back in with his wife at her home in Pembroke Road when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Roger Stanbury, defending, handed in a letter from Mrs Allison pleading with magistrates to take pity on Allison.

Mr Stanbury said: "There is a long and troubled history to the marriage. When he drinks too much he does become violent and can't remember what happens after."

Allison admitted common assault. Magistrates also ordered him to pay £100 compensation.