Hotelier in court over knife threat

The co-owner of a hotel themed around romantic breaks is waiting to learn whether he will be jailed for threatening to slit his partner's throat with a knife.

The Celebration hotel on the Isle of Wight is known by locals for its Valentine and honeymoon breaks. But its mood turned darker on 16 October, when James Staveley held a knife to his girlfriend's neck and told her: "Do you realise how easy it would be to cut your throat?"

Staveley, 50, appeared last week at Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court, where he admitted affray against Sharon Emmett, his partner of seven years. Kelvin Wood, prosecuting, told the court how the couple's relationship had deteriorated because of Staveley's frequent drunken behaviour. Staveley, who represented himself, said: "I had never done it before and I won't do it again. I don't why I did it."

He was remanded on bail until 20 November for sentencing.