A man who confronted neighbours armed with a knife after a row about fireworks exploded into threats of violence has been locked up.

Jordan Hunter returned to his home and grabbed the knife when neighbours challenged him about letting fireworks off and disturbing their dogs.

The 28-year-old was caught on CCTV in a verbal confrontation with the neighbours before he returned to his home and picked up the nine-inch knife on November 2 last year.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Hunter had a history of carrying knives and had a previous conviction for threatening a police officer.

Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, said the row erupted when the defendant was confronted by two men at around 6.15pm when he was setting off fireworks.

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She said: “One of the men went out to speak to him about that as it was clearly causing some issues with his dog. The defendant was told he was upsetting the dogs and he said he didn’t care.

“It was at that point another man comes out and the defendant offers to fight him and threatens to ‘knock his block off’ before he attempts to punch him and push him.

“The defendant has then got back into his house and come back out armed with the kitchen knife; both men describe his stance as threatening and coming towards them. One of the men feared he was going to be stabbed and as he was affectively saying ‘come on, come on’.”

The court heard how Hunter has previous convictions for possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a blade and affray.

Hunter, now of The Green, Billingham, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place following the incident after police recovered the weapon from his kitchen sink.

Kelleigh Lodge, in mitigation, said her client struggled with controlling his emotions due to his diagnosis for ADHD and has learning difficulties.

“It’s clear from the CCTV footage that a verbal altercation took place,” she said. “He has gone to his house, picked up the knife and then gone outside as could be seen on the footage.

“He has pleaded guilty and deeply regrets his actions.”

Recorder Aisha Wadoodi jailed Hunter for eight months.

“What is particularly concerning, is that you go back and arm yourself with a kitchen knife, and you hold it up,” she said.

“There is no doubt that they will have been frightened by somebody brandishing a knife.”

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