Father Samuel Moulder has narrowly escaped jail after launching an attack on his estranged partner and a good Samaritan who came to her rescue.
Samuel Moulder, 26, of Bristol Road, pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court to assault, affray and possessing a bladed article on September 26, last year, in Cheltenham High Street.
"When he saw his ex-partner and her friend he approached them and shouted 'I want to see my baby'," prosecuting barrister Julian Kesner told the court.
"They argued, he became increasingly aggressive and he grabbed her. A man, who was in a passing car, stopped to help. He returned to his car but the defendant hit him on the back of the head.
"When arrested the defendant was found to be in possession of a Stanley knife, spanner and two drill bits. He was wearing his work clothes."
Mr Kesner said that the defendant had a previous conviction for assault and for robbery for which he had received a custodial sentence.
Defence solicitor Paul Trotman said: "My client and his ex-partner wish to resume their relationship – she does not support this prosecution.
"He produced the Stanley knife to the police straightaway and made a full and frank admission. They bumped into each other that night by coincidence and she was preventing him from seeing his child. He had been drinking heavily."
Judge Euan Ambrose told Moulder said this was not a planned meeting and his "pent-up thoughts flared up".
He said: "You were in a poor state of mental health and you are remorseful; that is clear."
Moulder was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, 18 months supervision and ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation.
