A DRUNK man who threatened a police officer with a knife in a row about a dog has been spared an immediate jail term.

Andrew Cridland, 36, was the first man in Wiltshire to face a mandatory six-month jail term under a new law to clamp down on knife crime.

But Judge Peter Blair QC ruled it would be unjust after hearing he had done a residential detox and was going to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Charley Pattison, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court police went to his home in Oxford Road, Calne, on October 6, after a 999 call saying a woman had been assaulted. PC Nick Kelly found Laura Smith with a whippet.

Miss Pattison said: “PC Kelly told Mr Cridland to move away. He noticed he appeared to be drunk.”

Cridland said she could not leave with the dog and went for his pocket. He produced a knife with an 11cm blade and took a step forward, thrusting it towards the officer, threatening to cut his throat.

PC Kelly twice used Pava spray to subdue him.

Cridland admitted threatening someone so there was a risk of serious harm.

Mike Pulsford, defending, said his client was now back with Miss Smith, who told the court he was changed and she was employing him.

The judge said: “I am satisfied that a suspended sentence with conditions would meet the justice of the case.”

He imposed a six-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, supervision and 100 hours of unpaid work.