A paranoid and controlling dad threatened to shoot his partner and a non-existent man who he believed she was having an affair with.
Barry Metcalfe subjected his long-term partner to 'humiliating and degrading' abuse for several weeks after becoming convinced she was having an affair.
The 48-year-old also threatened to throw acid in the woman's face and put a knife to her face saying he would 'love to rip her face off'.
Prosecutor Stephanie Hancock said the abuse happened when Metcalfe was drinking heavily between December 9 and 27 last year.
Leeds Crown Court heard the more he drank the more controlling and abusive he got.
Miss Hancock said: "He was delusional about her having an affair with a fictitious character he had created in his mind, probably when in drink, called Mark."
The court was told the Leeds couple's neighbour noticed daily arguments with the defendant shouting at his partner, often after returning home.
On December 10, the victim sent a text to a neighbour saying Metcalfe had threatened to throw acid in her face.
In mid-December, the couple argued in the living room about the affair allegation and the victim shook him and pleaded with him to stop.
The pair fell backwards onto the sofa and Metcalfe produced a Stanley knife, holding it near her eye and saying that he would love to 'rip her face off'.
He then threw the knife away and punched her once in the face while holding a mobile phone in his fist.
The court was told Metcalfe was 'constantly' verbally abusive to her, called her names such as a slag, a wh**e and a crack addict and made derogatory comments about her body including stretch marks as a result of pregnancies.
In the lead up to Christmas Day, the victim begged Metcalfe not to drink heavily so they could have a 'nice Christmas' with their 15-year-old daughter and her older son.
On Christmas Eve, Metcalfe argued with the victim about how long she had spent food shopping with her son so she slept on the sofa that night.
He pulled the blanket off her and shouted throughout the night.
On Boxing Day, the victim's son offered to pay for dinner as Metcalfe, who controls the domestic finances, refused to give them money.
The victim and her children walked around Leeds until 6pm and when they returned Metcalfe accused them of spending his money.
In the presence of their daughter and the victim's son, Metcalfe threatened to shoot her.
He also threatened to shoot 'Mark'.
The court was told the child was extremely distressed and her brother tried to calm her down.
The victim went upstairs to speak to Metcalfe and discovered he had put an air rifle on her side of the bed.
Miss Hancock said: "The complainant asked what he was doing.
"He was just smug, saying, 'Don't touch my gun'.
"It was at this stage that she realised she had to telephone the police."
Metcalfe was arrested and made no comment in his police interview.
Miss Hancock said it seemed to be the first report of any domestic violence between the couple, who have been together for 17 years.
The court was told that the victim feels humiliated by the affair allegation, her health, career and friendships have suffered and feels more isolated than ever.
But the court was also told that the victim did not support the prosecution nor want a restraining order.
Metcalfe, of Poplar Gale, Bramley, pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour.
He has 19 previous convictions for 35 offences.
A pre-sentence report made by a probation officer indicated Metcalfe wants to return to living with his partner but still believes she is having an affair with 'Mark'.
Caroline Abraham, mitigating, said her client has had issues with drugs and alcohol in the past but is capable of abstinence.
She said he had returned to abusing alcohol last year after his brother passed away.
Metcalfe was handed a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to complete a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement, a 33-day programme and a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
