A NEPALESE man threatened to kill his wife as he was sharpening a cooking knife in front of his 17-year-old son, a court has heard.

Kaha Sing Limbu, 64 of Whitbourne Road made the harrowing threat on January 5 after being sent photos of his wife at church on Facebook.

Seeing red, magistrates sitting in Swindon on Friday heard how Limbu marched upstairs to show the pictures to his son, all the while having a cooking knife in his hand.

Prosecuting, Keith Ballinger told the court: “The son told the police that the defendant doesn’t allow his mum to attend the church and that his dad said he was going to kill her.

"The son said at the time when his dad was making the comments that his he was sharpening his cooking knife. Having made the comment, his dad went downstairs into the kitchen and he was still sharpening the knife.

"He was angry and said he was going to cut her with one slice and then taste the blood.

“The police attended the address and the defendant came outside the property but they could not see at the time whether he had a knife on him.

"The police had a Taser pointed at him and they shouted instructions to him but he was shouting back, telling them to shoot him.

"The officers then said he started to reach under his jacket, under the waistband of his trousers and at this point, he produced the knife and the officers took control of him and arrested him.”

Limbu, who previously served in the Gurkha regiment, pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing and the case was adjourned in order for an interpreter to be found.

Defending Mark Glendenning said: “The discipline and history of serving with the Gurkha regiment has very much shaped the man that stands in front of you.

“His wife going to church has been a contention between them and he accepts he became annoyed. He made comments in anger and did not intend them. It was unfortunate that he was preparing dinner and had a knife in his hand at the time.

“He is very remorseful for the comments he made and he understands that his family were scared by how angry he was.

“His wife supports him and they just want to get on with being a family. He has learned his lesson and if his wife wants to practice church in that way, he must let her.”

After retiring to reach a verdict, magistrates imposed an eight week prison sentence suspended for 12 months which was reduced from 16 weeks due to his early guilty plea and remorse.

Chair of the bench, Sally Matthews said: “We are taking this action because of the seriousness of the offence and the fact it was a threat against your wife in front of your 17-year-old son.

"It happened in the safety of your own home while you were holding a weapon.”

Limbu, who was aided by an interpreter in court, was also told he must pay £85 costs, £115 victim surcharge and complete 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days