A nightmare neighbour who pulled out a samurai sword in front of a terrified woman and her children was spared time in jail.
Daniel Mutimer fell out with regular visitor to a house on the street within a month of living at St Cuthbert's Terrace, in Sunderland, according to Chronicle Live.
The 31-year-old often shouted abuse, threatening to "snap his other leg" when he saw him on crutches, made offensive hand gestures and shouted "n***e".
Mutimer also spray painted the offensive word onto a fence, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
He would warn his victim, who visited the street to see his ex partner and children, that he should "watch your back" and "I'm going to slit your throat".
However, things escalated on September 10 last year when the victim's former girlfriend was about to drive the kids to school and Mutimer approached her car.
Clare Anderson, prosecuting, told the court: "The defendant appeared and pulled something from his waistband.
"She believed it was a long wooden stick but it was a samurai sword. She describes feeling terrified for her safety and that of her children."
The police were called and were forced to threaten Mutimer with a taser as he was carrying a claw hammer, which he did eventually drop.
However, he continued to be aggressive and kicked one of the officers several times while screaming "come on then", the court heard.
Mutimer, formerly of Scruton Avenue, in Sunderland, but now living in South Shields, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to using threatening words and behaviour, assaulting an emergency worker and possession of a bladed article.
Tony Cornberg, defending, said Mutimer had complex mental health difficulties but was working with the authorities to get help.
Giving him a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, Mr Recorder Neil Haythorne said Mutimer had a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation" with the correct intervention, which he is now getting.
He also ordered Mutimer to abide by a six-month night time curfew and to pay £200 costs.
In a statement, the victims said they wished they could go back to "a normal life" after being caused stressful and sleepless nights because of Mutimer.
Tony Cornberg, defending, said Mutimer had complex mental health difficulties but was working with the authorities to get help.
Giving him a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, Mr Recorder Neil Haythorne said Mutimer had a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation" with the correct intervention, which he is now getting.
He also ordered Mutimer to abide by a six-month night time curfew and to pay £200 costs.
