AN axe-wielding drunk who threatened to "chop up" a three-month-old baby was jailed yesterday.

Liam Dove, 23, had been released from a two-and-a-half- year sentence for wounding only a few months before he targeted a family in Ernest Street, Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, on September 4 last year.

Newcastle Crown Court was told how Dove had been exposing himself in the street while high on alcohol and cocaine.

When residents complained about his behaviour he threatened to chop them up and claimed he would attack the 14-week-old baby girl.

Dove, of Manor Gardens, Boldon, admitted having an offensive weapon and two charges of affray.

Judge David Hodson told him: "You armed yourself with an axe and uttered the most dreadful threats of what you might do."

Judge Hodson ordered Dove to serve 256 days outstanding from the previous sentence followed by a further 18 months.

In mitigation, Roger Moore said: "This was a lot of hot air and some really bizarre and ridiculous behaviour.

"Unpleasant and frightening it may have been, but he did not actually hit anybody and he did not actually cause any damage.

"He was somebody who could not even stand up straight. He was staggering about, plainly drunk."