A knife-wielding attacker from Exmouth has been jailed for trying to stab a driver through the front window of his car during a domestic dispute in Littleham.

Reuben Densham, from Littleham, jabbed the kitchen knife towards the brother of his ex girlfriend after they went to his home to drop off his belongings.

The victim had to dodge the knife and was able to shut his car window as Densham drew his arm back for a second stab. He kicked the window instead, leaving a shoe mark on the glass.

The incident happened in Midway, Littleham, after the victim had driven his sister to Densham’s home to return belongings which he had left with her during a short relationship during the summer.

They were initially confronted by Densham’s girlfriend, Kat Wilson, who had moved back to live with him even though he was banned from seeing her by a restraining order.

Densham, aged 33, of Midway, Exmouth, admitted using a knife to threaten violence and breach of a restraining order and was jailed for a year and three months by Judge David Evans at Exeter Crown Court.

The judge told him: “The offence with the bladed article resulted in those involved being very frightened. This was a very unsettling incident which caused serious alarm and distress.”

Mr Greg Richardson, prosecuting, said the victim and his sister went to drop off a bag full of property on the afternoon of November 11 but there was no reply at Densham’s house.

They left the bag on the doorstep and phoned him but the call was answered by Ms Wilson, who was abusive and then came outside and shouted at them. She tried to call out Densham’s dog but the animal did not get involved.

They returned to the car but as they were driving off Densham came out carrying a knife, which he used to lunge through the window.

Mr Richardson said: “(The victim) thought he was trying to stab him in the head and dodged out of the way of the knife, leaning his head and upper body over the passenger. He said the knife missed him narrowly.

“He saw Densham swing back his arm for another go and pushed the button to close the window. Densham kicked the window and (the victim) drove off.”

Densham told police he grabbed the knife because he thought the victim might have a gun.

Mr James Rickard, defending, said Densham has mental health issues and is on anti psychotic medication and anti depressants and has a diagnosis of adult ADHD.

Mr Rickard said: “That is the background to his impulsive behaviour and his embarrassing behaviour that arose from the animosity of (the victim’s sister) turning up on the doorstep.”

Mr Rickard said Densham broke the restraining order because Ms Wilson had become homeless three weeks earlier and asked to move into his home.