A metro-area man has been convicted of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house and sexually assaulting her at knifepoint while under court orders to leave her and her children alone.

But the judge was none-too-pleased with the sentence proposed.

Twenty-seven-year-old Kordell Dixon was subject to family violence protection orders when he went after his ex last November.

He broke into her Mount Pearl home in the middle of the night, put a knife to her throat and raped her.

The woman’s two young children were also in the house at the time.

Dixon then fled the scene, prompting pleas from police to help find him, which they did, two days later, charging him with sexual assault, criminal harassment, break-in with intent, forcible confinement, and failing to follow court orders.

He was denied bail and remains in custody at HMP.

Court heard the woman met Dixon online and they dated awhile before things went south and she tried to break it off.

But Dixon defied her pleas, and the court orders, leading to the violent attack in the early-morning hours of November 6.

The case was set for a quick conclusion this week, but that went off the rails when the judge said the Crown’s proposed total sentence of four years was not fit.

“I have severe difficulty with that,” he stated, saying it was far too low while citing Dixon’s previous criminal record, the use of a weapon, and the fact children were present.

The judge’s words came as some comfort to the victim, who nodded in agreement with her supporters as the judge urged the Crown and defence to propose a more appropriate sentence when the case is called again in September.

Sometimes, said the woman in her victim impact statement, “it’s not the monsters under the bed you have to fear; it could be the one in bed next to you.”