A thug has been jailed for threatening his neighbour with a knife as their terrified children screamed "don’t kill daddy".
Owen Cope was handed a prison sentence of eight years and eight months after forcing his way into the home of his neighbour in Birtley, Gateshead, on October 22 last year.
The 33-year-old threatened the occupants with two knives after finding out they had socialised with one of his rival associates, Chronicle Live reported.
The 35-year-old's horrified children watched as Cope lunged towards their dad and held a knife to his throat in the heated exchange.
The five children between two and 14, screamed "don’t kill daddy" as Cope plunged the knife towards his stomach, a court heard.
Luckily, the father-of-five was able to deflect the blow before his partner jumped on the thug’s back and pulled him off her husband.
Cope left the house and the couple contacted police but they were left so terrified by what had happened they did not want to provide officers with Cope’s name due to fear of reprisals.
Their home was also attacked, numerous windows were smashed and the words “grass” spray-painted on their home in what is believed to be an attempt to keep them quiet.
Northumbria Police investigating officer Det Con Craig Testo and Gateshead Council arranged to move the family out of the area and they bravely decided to give evidence against Cope.
That gave police enough evidence to arrest him and he later admitted aggravated burglary and possession of an offensive weapon before being jailed at Newcastle Crown Court last week.
Now the mum, 33, has thanked detectives at Northumbria Police for their support and encouraged others being intimidated by violent bullies not to live in fear.
She said: "The whole thing was terrifying. My youngest kids were screaming ‘please don’t kill my daddy’ and those words still break my heart. I won’t ever forget it.
"They are still receiving therapy and we have had to move house which means they have had to go to a different school and have lost all of their friends.
"We were scared to talk to police at first but I thought I had to show my children what is right and what is wrong. I had to teach them that if you do that then you go to prison.
"The police and the council have been really helpful. They have made us feel a lot safer and a lot better about coming forward and giving evidence.
"We feel a lot better now that he is in prison because at the end of the day we didn’t do anything wrong and we shouldn’t have to be the ones to suffer.
"I just want other people who may have faced something similar not to live in fear. Don’t let someone bully you, speak up and the police will support you."
Praising the actions of the victims, Det Con Testo said: "Owen Cope is a thug and a bully who left many members of his community living in fear, too scared to report his violent offending to police.
"I am in awe of the bravery and courage shown by [the victims] who decided to stand up to this man and help us put him behind bars. I hope this result can bring them some closure.
"Pough fear and we would encourage other victims of similar offending to not suffer in silence.
"If you show the same bravery as the victims in this case then we will ensure you receive all the support you need and we will do everything in our power to put violent bullies behind bars."
Cope, of Dorset Avenue, Birtley, was jailed at Newcastle Crown Court last Wednesday and was also handed a 10-year restraining order and made to pay a victim surcharge of £190.
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