A man threatened to cut his wife’s head off with a knife following an argument at their home, Lincoln Crown Court was told today (Tues).
Adam Motyka became abusive towards his wife after she discovered text messages on his phone and accused him of having an affair.
Lucy Jones, prosecuting, said that Mrs Motyka went to punch her husband but she came off worse suffering a broken finger.
Adam Motyka then grabbed her around the neck with such force that she could not breathe.
He was distracted by a text message he received from work and his wife attempted to leave but he caught up with her, grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground.
Then he took hold of her by her collar and took her back into the house.
Miss Jones told the court “The defendant was still in a state of aggression. He came back with a kitchen knife and pointed the knife towards her. His wife was terrified.
“He was saying ‘I’ll kill you’ and said he would chop her head off. At one point he put the knife to his wife’s chest.”
The incident ended when the defendant was again distracted by a work text message and his wife managed to leave. She took a taxi to the local police station and asked for help.
Adam Motyka, 32, of Regent Street, Spalding, admitted a charge of affray as a result of the incident on 5 June this year. He was given a 12 month jail sentence suspended for two years with 120 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to complete a building better relationships course and given a 15 day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Judge John Pini QC imposed an indefinite restraining order banning Motyka from contacting his wife and from visiting her home and work place.
The judge said he had not imposed an immediate jail sentence because Motyka had served the equivalent of a four month jail sentence in custody on remand awaiting the hearing.
Judge Pini told Motyka “This was disgraceful. You abused your wife dreadfully.
“I accept that you are genuinely remorseful and regret what you did. It was totally out of character.
“However it is only because you have spent the equivalent of a four month sentence in prison remand that I am able to suspend the sentence.”
Leanne Summers, in mitigation, said “He was married for 13 years but around six months before this offence the marriage got into difficulties.
“He couldn’t control himself or the situation. He is very upset at the way he behaved. He doesn’t in any way attempt to excuse his behaviour.”
Miss Summers added that Motyka accepts his marriage is now over.
