A MAN angry at missing his breakfast held a knife to the throat of a hostel kitchen worker, a court heard yesterday.

Dennis Paisley had earlier rained punches on his victim, prosecutor Edward Legard told Teesside Crown Court.

Mr Legard said that last July, 38-year-old Paisley came down late for breakfast at the Middlesbrough hostel and began to make his own. The victim told him this was not allowed.

"The defendant punched the complainant to the head twice," said Mr Legard. "He fell to his knees and the defendant then punched him a further three times." Paisley held him in a stranglehold before holding a knife to his throat.

Paisley, of Albert Road, Middlesbrough, admitted causing actual bodily harm and was ordered to complete a two-year community rehabilitation order, as well as undergo psychiatric treatment.

Michael Bosomworth, for Paisley, said his client had been in custody for three months, and that prison could cause his psychiatric problems to deteriorate.