A "VIOLENT" Lower Gornal man who was waving an eight inch kitchen knife when he threatened to slit a man's throat has been jailed for 29 months.

Reece Baggott, aged 23, had become extremely aggressive when the victim had asked him to move off his driveway because his home had been burgled.

Baggott also made threats to the man’s partner telling her, “I’ll have you then” before leaving their Merryfield Road property after being told the incident had been caught on CCTV.

The man and a family friend then tracked Baggott down and there was a scuffle before he shouted, “I know where you live” and ran off saying he wanted a knife.

He then returned with the kitchen knife and made the threat to cut the man’s throat, Harpreet Sandhu, prosecuting told Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Baggott was then arrested and bailed but he then carried out a campaign of intimidation on the man and his partner.

He went to their home and looked through the window making a throat cutting gesture with his hand while he was laughing and smiling.

There were a number of other visits to the house and on one occasion Baggott ran in front of the victim’s car, added Mr Sandhu.

Recorder Andrew Lockhart QC told Baggott it was a “very frightening experience” for the couple living in the property and it was clear they felt unsafe in their own home.

“You said you knew the house had been broken into and that made them feel very vulnerable,” he added as he ruled only an immediate sentence of custody was appropriate.

Baggott of Central Drive, admitted affray, possessing an offensive weapon and witness intimidation.

The recorder made a restraining order forbidding Baggott from having any contact with the victims or going anywhere near their home for the next 10 years.

Wendy Miller, defending, said Baggott who had 24 previous convictions on his criminal record, including robbery and the possession of offensive weapons, was now determined to put his life back onto the rails.

“He has done a lot of growing up since he committed these offences,” said Miss Miller who told the court, “It is clear he lost control on this occasion.”