A teacher who threatened to burn his children alive during a violent argument with his wife over an affair has escaped jail.

Panda Kindoki grabbed his partner and threw her against a wall when she confronted him about his infidelity at their home in Payzes Gardens, Chingford Lane, Woodford Green, in April last year.

The terrified mother used a suitcase to barricade herself and her two young girls in a bedroom after he claimed he would take them to his car and set it alight, Waltham Forest Magistrates Court heard.

They eventually escaped and Kindoki, who has another child from a previous relationship, says he has not had any contact with them since.

Kindoki trained as a teacher in the Democratic Republic of Congo but has been unable to find a position in a school since arriving in the UK 17 years ago.

He previously received a caution for a similar offence against his wife, but denied common assault during a trial in December last year.

However, he was found guilty and sentenced on Monday.

Calling for his client to be given a conditional discharge, Kindoki's counsel said the attack was not premeditated and happened in the context of a domestic argument.

He added that his client accepted responsibility for the back injury suffered by his wife and was aware if he committed a similar offence again he would be treated more severely by the court.

Kindoki, who is unemployed, was sentenced to 60 hours community service and ordered to pay £200, including £100 compensation to his wife.