A MAN who threatened his pregnant wife with a knife while she was holding their one-year-old son has been jailed for 12 months.

Luke Taylor, 32, of Hawthorn Road, Taunton, cried as he appeared at Taunton Crown Court via video link from HMP Exeter on Wednesday (September 19) after pleading guilty to affray.

Prosecuting Caroline Bolt told the court on July 16 Taylor went to his wife, Charlotte's home, where she was with their one year-old son and her sister, Rosie Clark, and threatened to break her door down.

Mrs Taylor, who was 21 weeks pregnant at the time of the incident, had moved into her own property after splitting up with Taylor three weeks earlier.

"Charlotte did not want him in the house, she made sure both doors were locked," Mrs Bolt said.

"Rosie then saw a shadow at the dining room window and that he was using a ladder from a neighbour to get in through the window."

The court heard after Taylor entered the property Ms Clark called the police and said the defendant was being 'very aggressive' towards Mrs Taylor and Ms Clark.

Mrs Bolt added: "He pointed a knife at Charlotte and said 'I am going to kill you both'.

"Charlotte replied: 'What with our son here?' and he said 'he can watch'."

Police arrived at the scene shortly after and body-worn camera footage shows the defendant shouting verbal abuse at officers and refusing them entry into the property.

An officer then entered the property and Taylor ran into the kitchen and picked up a knife and threatened them.

The defendant then locked himself in the kitchen and officers went around the front of the building.

The footage showed Taylor then came out of the front of the property and threaten an officer by saying: "Next time you come for me I will do you in."

As more officers arrived Taylor attempted to flee the scene but was tackled to the floor by an officer who used a taser to ensure he would not abscond.

The court heard Taylor was jailed for five years and two months in 2012 after he pushed and struck his then pregnant ex-partner.

Defending Emma Martin told the court Taylor had been struggling with his mental health and had started taking heroin after finding out that his grandfather had passed away.

"He said he feels ashamed of how he behaved that day and a sense of shame and remorse for his actions," Mrs Martin said.

"He said he feels like he let everyone down.

"This is not regular behaviour, this shows someone who has lost it."

Mrs Martin said Taylor's wife is due to give birth to their second child next month and told the court Taylor is now clean of drugs and is accessing mental health services at the prison.

"His young son has been a massive motivation for him," Mrs Martin said.

"The couple has made the decision that they will not live together when their daughter comes in a month's time.

"He will miss the birth of his second child and is distressed at the prospect of that.

"He has used the three months he has been in custody very well and has recognised the demons he has."

When sentencing Taylor, Judge Cook, said: "It was clearly a terrifying incident for the officers you threatened so much so they had to subdue you by using a taser.

"I have read letters from Mrs Taylor, Mrs Jenkins and Mr Taylor which show your good character.

"However, this offence does cross the custodial threshold."

Judge Cook sentenced Taylor to 12 months in jail and ordered him to pay a £140 victim surcharge.