DELUDED Ian Currie threatened to kill an entire family, including a 97-year-old woman, because he thought their millennium fireworks party was too noisy, a court heard yesterday.

The 57-year-old, who later slashed one of the revellers across the face - making a sign of the cross - had marched into the Wayman family's back garden, shouting: "Any more bangs and you are dead," York Crown Court was told.

Currie, of Rossett Crescent, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, denied wounding Edward Marcus Wayman on January 2, last year, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm, and was found not guilty by the jury.

But he was convicted of the lesser charge of wounding Mr Wayman across the side of his face and ear with a knife, and was remanded in custody for six weeks for medical reports to be prepared.

Andrew Woolman, prosecuting, said the house in Leadhall Lane, Harrogate, was the home of grandparents and the entire family, including children and the 97-year-old head of the family, were holding a millennium fireworks display when a stranger appeared in the garden.

It turned out to be Currie, who objected violently by issuing a death threat, adding that the killings would be "slow".

As he left, the defendant was followed by brothers Edward and Rodney Wayman up Throstle Nest Drive, Harrogate.

Edward Wayman shone his torch on Currie, who told him: "I am going to kill you, you are dead." Mr Woolman said as Mr Wayman walked away, he was twisted round by the accused and fell over.

"When he got up, he realised his right ear was painful. The defendant must have had a knife, and slashed him twice," said Mr Woolman.

"He shone the torch again and noticed a small, bladed knife. Mr Wayman hit his attacker over the head with his torch."

Currie told the jury he suffered from a depressive illness which made him sensitive to noise.

He believed six distress rockets had been launched from the garden, and the loud explosions made him angry.

Judge Jonathon Crabtree said it was "a great tragedy" he had to keep Currie on remand in custody, as the accused's wife suffered from Parkinson's disease and he was her carer