Bryn dad held wife and two children captive in bedroom while holding knives

A DAD who held his children and wife captive in a room while holding two knives, told them: "We're going to be on the news tomorrow".

Mark Stephens, 41, kept his wife and two young children in their bedroom.

The children were crying and screaming as Williams came into their room.

He was holding two kitchen knives and told them: "We're going to be on the news tomorrow."

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

His wife said her children were "terrified" and both children asked their father "please don't do it", telling him they loved him.

One said: "I don't want to die".

Stephens, of Glan yr Afon, Bryn, was described as "testing" the blades.

He admitted affray after the five minute incident.

Afterwards, Stephens went downstairs and his wife waited with her children until he fell asleep.

She then went downstairs, found his car keys and took her children out of the house.

Swansea Crown Court was told the children had reported lasting effects of the incident.

His barrister, Patrick Griffiths, said his client had reacted badly to his wife asking for a divorce.

Mr Griffiths said: "I accept this was a thoroughly frightening and disgraceful incident and the sort that can lead to tragic consequences but the actual possession of the knives in the room was of a short duration."

"It was a combination of factors which led him to behave in this way," he added.

Judge Paul Thomas said it must have been a "terrifying" experience.

"I can only hope, as you will, that the lasting psychological impact on them will not be too great. I suspect they will never look at you in the same way ever again," he added.

The judge accepted his intention was to frighten them.

He then imposed a nine-month sentence, suspended for two years and imposed a two-year supervision order. He was also told to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.