A SUFFOLK farmer looked evil as he threatened to kill his wife with kitchen knives, a court heard.Ian Freston, 43, had a bread knife and two chopping knives in one hand and a craft knife in the other when he warned his wife "you're life is in danger".

A SUFFOLK farmer looked evil as he threatened to kill his wife with kitchen knives, a court heard.

Ian Freston, 43, had a bread knife and two chopping knives in one hand and a craft knife in the other when he warned his wife "you're life is in danger".

Mrs Freston was said to be "terrified" when she was threatened in her home in Newbourne Road, Waldringfield.

On the day Freston was due to leave the family home and his turbulent marriage his wife found him talking on the telephone to the Samaritans.

Freston told the Samaritans of his intentions then put the phone down and picked up the knives.

Mrs Freston, who made provoking remarks to her husband said he looked "evil" as he repeated the threat.

She told Freston to put the weapons down and he did. She then ran to an upstairs flat to alert the police.

Ipswich Crown Court heard she felt physically sick with fear and was scared her legs would not carry her up the stairs as they were shaking so much.

Freston told police: "I flipped, I thought if I could not have her no one will."

He admitted making threats to kill and said he had wanted her to believe he wanted to kill her.

Lindsay Cox mitigating said Freston had been suffering from depression and had been drinking alcohol when the offence happened.

The court heard that Freston, who worked in agriculture had one previous offence for drink driving on the A12 at Bucklesham.

Mr Cox said Mr Freston's offending was a "culmination of what was an emotionally difficult time".

Judge John Holt heard the end of Freston's 13-year marriage, the separation from his wife and two children and his alcohol consumption had resulted in his offending.

Freston has been on remand at Norwich prison for 11 weeks which is almost the equivalent of a six months jail sentence.

Judge Holt said that if Freston continued to take medication to stabilise his mental health and refrained from using alcohol he would not pose a risk to his wife or the public in the future.

Freston was sentenced to a two-year rehabilitation order and told if he breached the order he was likely to be sent to prison.

The court heard Freston was currently living with friends in Ipswich and was seeking employment away from agriculture.