A MOTHER had a knife held to her throat by her ex-boyfriend when they rowed over whether he was the father of her child.

A court heard that Sheppey man Marcus Benjamin threatened to cut Susanna Milne’s face "from side to side" and told her she would not leave the house alive.

Violence erupted while Miss Milne was babysitting for her sister at her home in St Mary’s Road, Gillingham, in December last year.

Miss Milne called the police but Benjamin, 35, refused to calm down. Eventually, as he was put into the back of a police van, the unemployed roofer spat in the face of one of the officers.

Benjamin, of Victoria Street, Sheerness, admitted making threats to kill and two offences of assault by beating. He also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court.

Adjourning sentence for reports, Judge Timothy Nash said he believed Benjamin’s reaction had been fuelled by alcohol and cannabis.

Referring to the question of paternity concerning Benjamin and his daughter the judge added: "That is enough to make anybody’s blood boil, but it does not excuse his behaviour."

Benjamin Douglas-Jones, defending, said Miss Milne had since made four withdrawal statements, saying she did not want to support a prosecution.

Miss Milne also stated that Benjamin was the father of her 19-month-old daughter and that she wanted him to be a part of her life.

The judge said all sentencing options were to be considered and any jail term would be in months rather than years. Benjamin was released on bail.