Married life suddenly turned sour when Ian Chidgey's wife Julie discovered he was having an affair.

They argued and fought so much that both finished up with depression and mental health problems, a court heard.

Matters came to a head when Chidgey, 35, threatened his wife with a brandy bottle and yelled: "If you come near me, you're dead."

Chidgey, who also brandished a knife in front of his wife, was arrested at his home in Stanley Road, Benfleet.

He pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court to having an offensive weapon, the knife, and using threatening behaviour.

Trevor Crosland, prosecuting, said the couple were married for 15 years when the Chidgey's affair came to light about a year ago.

There were several attempts at reconciliation, but Chidgey became more and more depressed and he even tried to commit suicide by taking an overdose, added Mr Crosland.

His wife also suffered from the trauma of the break up and entered a clinic for help, said the barrister.

Trouble erupted when Chidgey, a computer operator, returned to the marital home one evening last November with four cans of lager and the bottle of brandy.

He picked up his wife's car keys and she snapped: "No, you've been drinking."

She tried to stop him getting into the car, but he held up the bottle, warning: "You will get this in your face." He later produced a four-inch long knife, said Mr Crosland.

Shortly afterwards, neighbours became so concerned about the couple that they called the police and he was taken away for questioning.

Judge Peter Thompson ordered Chidgey to work 80 hours' community service for both offences.

The judge told the defendant as he left the dock: "We can only hope you surmount your problems and get your lives back on a sound footing."

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