A woman pretended to be dead in an attempt to stop an attack in which her partner stamped on her head and threatened to burn down the house, a court heard.

Michael Gregory, 29, attacked his partner during a row after a Christmas party in their home, a court heard.

Gregory followed the victim upstairs and started attacking her while she was in bed.

She pretended to stop breathing so that he would think she was dead, and fled into her children’s bedroom where he threatened to burn down the house.

Gregory, of Mill Lane, Macclesfield, pleaded guilty to the assault on December 18, 2015 at Macclesfield Magistrates Court.

Debbie Byrne, prosecuting, said: “He followed her upstairs and continued to argue.

“He pulled the bed clothes away from her and started to punch and hit her.

“She kicked out to try to get him away.

“He stood on the bed and stamped on her head with his foot.

“She pretended to stop breathing so that he would think she was dead.

“He continued to press his foot into her head and said he was going to kill her.

“She was able to get away and went into the children’s bedroom.

“The complainant said she would call the police and he said he was going to burn the house down and they were all going to die.”

The woman managed to call police and on the 999 call the children could be heard crying in background.

Sam Flixter, defending, said: “As you can see he’s extremely remorseful and ashamed.

“It stems from mental health issues which he failed to address until it got to this point.

“He’s on medication for depression and having Cognital Behavioural Therapy sessions but was having negative thoughts.

“He works as a domestic carer and is a respected member of the team.”

Magistrates fined him £225 and gave a 12-month community order with a requirement to attend a ‘building better relationships’ programme.

He must pay £85 court costs and £60 victim surcharge.

Chairman of the bench Jill Nolan said: “This is a very serious incident. The children must have been terrified.”

Speaking after the hearing, the victim, who is still in a relationship with Gregory, said: “Michael and myself are very much a couple. “As a family we are working through this. “The last two months have been hell and we just want to get on with our lives and get back to normal.”