A SOUTHAMPTON man sparked an armed police response after holding two knives near to his girlfriend's throat.

Jake Bowers launched into a fit of rage after the woman ended their relationship.

He grabbed two knives from the kitchen, held them within inches of the woman’s neck and threatened to stab both her and himself.

Armed police rushed to the Southampton home and approached a hysterical Bowers while holding riot shields.

The 27-year-old later put down the weapons before being arrested.

Now Bowers has been given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to affray and possession of a knife.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Bowers had been out drinking with his girlfriend and her grandmother prior to the incident, on August 5.

Prosecutor Tim Moores said the trio returned to the grandmother’s address, in Bitterne Road East, when Bowers was told the woman wanted to end their relationship.

Mr Moores said: “He then went into the kitchen and came out carrying two knives, a red knife and a bread knife, one in each hand."

In mitigation, Richard Martin told the court that Bowers suffered from a personality disorder and that he was believed to have autism – though it had not been diagnosed.

Bowers, of Shirley Road, Southampton, was sentenced to 27 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to complete 25 days of rehabilitation.