A MAN who threatened to drown his former partner and their children, and burn their house down, has been warned he faces a possible prison sentence.

Nathan Holdsworth, 27, phoned his former partner and mother of his two children in Skipton on June 23, becoming abusive, and ending up with threats, heard Skipton Magistrates Court today (Friday).

Prosecuting, Melanie Ibbotson, said Holdsworth had been in a relationship with the woman for about ten years until fairly recently.

On June 23, he had called her about arranging to see their children, and had become abusive, telling her he would drown her and the children, and then himself. He also threatened to set the house on fire, said Miss Ibbotson.

Holdsworth later turned up at the house, in his sister's car, despite not having her permission to drive it.

He became aggressive with police officers, who had been called to the scene, resisting arrest, and requiring the assistance of other officers.

One of the officers suffered cuts to his right wrist and forearm, and a painful elbow, said Miss Ibbotson.

Holdsworth later told police he had wanted to see his children, had been drinking and had thought it a good idea to take his sister's car and go looking for them.

Holdsworth, of Staveley Road, Shipley, admitted sending a menacing message via a public communications network, taking a car without its owner's consent, using a car without insurance, and resisting an officer in the execution of his duty.

In mitigation, Keith Blackwell said Holdsworth was a man with a 'brittle' personality who had been greatly affected by the breakdown of his relationship and had set fire to his van the day before calling his former partner.

He was desperate to see his children and had taken the keys to his sister's car without her knowing.

When the police had arrested him in Skipton, the handcuffs had been tight, and he had pulled away, because he had been scared.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until August 17 for an all options report, which includes a possible prison sentence