A MAN who brandished a knife at a couple during a dispute has been spared jail.
Sean Erskine warned Simon and Lisa Askew "I'm going to kill you" before he produced the 10in blade at a house in Fox Avenue, South Shields, on May 25.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the couple were at the property, which they
own, after their tenn
ant who rents the house told them Erskine had been there causing damage.
When Mr and Mrs Askew arrived they found the front door smashed in, at a
cost of £150 and a £130 guitar broken.
Prosecutor Tony Glover told the court: "The defendant came back with a 10in carving knife, saying 'I'm going to slit your throat'."
Erskine issued more threats before running off when he was told the police were on their way.
Erskine, 22, of Fox Avenue, South Shields, admitted criminal damage and
affray.
He also admitted a charge of common assault in relation to a "tussle" with the lodger who was at the property during his first visit.
Bob Spragg, defending, said there was a history of ill-feeling between
Erskine and the Agnews.
He said Mr Agnew was cleared by a court of causing damage to Erskine's
girlfriend's car five days before the incident.
Judge Esmond Faulks sentenced Erskine to 20 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with 100 hours unpaid work.
He was ordered to pay £150 compensation for the door and £130 for the
guitar.
