A husband threatened to kill his estranged wife and injured her with a Samurai sword in a terrifying attempt to make her return to him.

Angela Wassall grabbed the blade of the weapon as she tried fight off her husband Peter and only escaped serious injury because the blade was blunt.

Wassall, of Hawthorne Avenue, Twydall, was jailed for 16 months after admitting affray and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Martin Yale, prosecuting, said the couple had been married 33 years but the relationship became abusive and Mrs Wassall went to live with one of her daughters Helen Tolcher in Monmouth Close, Rainham.

Wassall, 54, was living at the former matrimonial home in Lynsted Road, Twydall, on December 18 last year when he contacted his wife telling her he loved her.

He later became upset and angry after drinking heavily and told Mrs Wassall he was going to end it all and take her with him.

“He said she had until New Year’s Eve to come back to him or he would slash her face,” Mr Yale Told Maidstone Crown Court.

He took a Samurai sword out of its sheath and made slashing movements. He calmed down and Mrs Wassall left.

Wassall later telephoned her and threatened: “I am giving you until the new year to get back here. Then I will kill you and myself.

“If you were a Muslim you would be dead by now. You can’t just walk out. Until death do us part.”

Mrs Wassall was at her daughter’s home when her husband arrived and pushed his way in, barging her backwards.

He brandished sword about 2ft long and made stabbing motions at Mrs Wassall’s stomach, telling her: “If you don’t come home I am going to kill you.”

Mrs Wassall grabbed the blade, held it tightly and tried to pull it away, fearing what would happen if she let go.

He put his arm across her throat, making her choke. Mrs Tolcher’s husband managed to grab the sword and throw it over a fence.

Wassall left, saying he would return with a shotgun. Mrs Wassall suffered slight cuts to her hands.

Officers found two more Samurai swords at his home.