A JEALOUS man used a pickaxe to scare his partner who had been out with another man.

Derek McWhirter attacked his common law wife outside their rural home in Hartlebury, near Worcester.

The 49-year-old, who had also been out drinking, waited for her to arrive, armed with a metre-long pickaxe handle.

He slapped her around the back of the head before using the pickaxe handle to smash an outside light. His partner managed to run inside and lock herself in a bedroom.

At Worcester Magistrates Court, McWhirter pleaded guilty to common assault and possession of an offensive weapon.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, said the couple had been together for three years but were experiencing problems.

He said: “Mr McWhirter thought the injured party was out with another man who she’d had the affair with.

“He decided to stand outside and wait in the nature reserve and use the pickaxe handle as a threat.

“He followed her up the drive and asked who the man was. She said it was none of his business. He then slapped her to the back of her head and smashed the light.

“He told police officers that he was angry but was not going to use the pickaxe handle to hurt her. He acknowledged he was trying to scare her.”

Nick Roberts, defending, asked the bench for a full report before sentencing.

Magistrates agreed to adjourn, noting that a custodial sentence would be considered.

McWhirter was granted bail on the condition he lived with his parents in Birmingham, did not make contact with the victim and did not enter Hartlebury.

He is due to appear before the court again on Monday, December 14, for sentencing.

Your Worcester News was the only member of the media to attend this hearing.