A DRUNKEN man used a knife to threaten his girlfriend.

John De-Crem, of South Street, Colchester, used the blade to stab between the woman’s fingers before breaking into a bathroom she was hiding in to threaten her and slap her in the face.

He also smashed her phone, which she was using to call police, and damaged a table.

But the woman found another phone and locked herself in another room until officers arrived.

De-Crem, 44, swore at them and lunged toward them.

The incident took place at the woman’s home, in Braintree.

De-Crem said he was drunk at the time.

He admitted at Colchester Magistrates’ Court assault by beating, obstructing an officer and criminal damage.

He will be sentenced next month.