Man held his ex and son at knifepoint

A man held his partner and son at knifepoint threatening to kill them if they called for help.

During the terrifying ordeal, Kevin Ball told the woman: “If I can’t have you, no-one can have you” as she cradled 
her eight-year-old son in her arms.

The woman managed to text a friend using her son’s mobile phone which he had hidden under his pillow when he went to bed.

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Ball, 41, of Cocker Street, North Shore, has been jailed for two years after pleading guilty to making threats to kill.

Preston Crown Court heard the woman and her son were in bed at around 10.30pm on March 18 when they heard a knock at the door.

The woman went to answer it, thinking it was a neighbour, but Ball barged past her carrying a can of cider in his hand.

He went to the kitchen and pulled out a drawer with a loud crash and the woman went to check on her son.

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But Ball, of followed her into the boy’s bedroom holding a large kitchen knife.

As the woman cuddled her son, Ball warned her: “If I see any blue lights or hear any sirens or police knocking on the door I will kill you. It only takes three seconds.”

He then turned the knife on himself, jabbing at his legs and stomach before handing it to the woman and ordering her to go to sleep.

As she and her son escaped from the bedroom the police arrived – after being alerted by the woman’s friend.

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But as Ball was led away, he shouted he was going to “bury” the woman, telling officers: “She knows what I mean.”

While they were in the boy’s bedroom together Ball threatened to kill himself, the woman and her son.

However the court heard the woman has moved on from the incident and wants Ball to seek treatment for his alcohol abuse.

Recorder Mark Laprell, sentencing, said: “I have received a letter from your victim. She is sure if he had not been drunk he would not have done what he did. He is usually hard working but personal tragedy has tipped him over the edge.

“Despite what has happened she has sympathy and an affinity with Mr Ball.”