A teenager threatened his local corner shop owner with a knife before returning when on bail to ask ‘what did you tell police’.
The sentencing judge at Bolton Crown Court described the incidents as 'utterly disgraceful' and told Dane Fort, 19, that he had escaped prison 'by a very narrow margin'.
On January 24, Fort went into Bennetts News in the Smithills area of Bolton and got into an argument with the shopkeeper.
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According to prosecution barrister Alistair Reid, there had been an 'ongoing dispute' between the pair and Fort had previously been banned from the store.
The shopkeeper then threw Fort out of the store but he returned shortly after armed with a knife.
He was 'shouting and screaming' at the shopkeeper and knocked items off the shelves, Mr Reid told the court.
Fort then showed the man a knife that he had and pointed it towards him, before leaving.
Police arrested Fort, of Trawden Avenue, and he was released on bail.
On September 11, while on bail, Fort returned to the shop to abuse the shopkeeper again.
The court heard that Fort put two fingers up at him and told the man to "f*** off", before asking if he wanted a fight.
Six days later, at around 6.50pm on September 17, Fort 'sneaked up behind' the victim as he was closing the shop for the night.
He asked: "What did you say to the police?"
The man told Fort that he did not say anything out of fear and started to back away but Fort followed him and said "you watch it", before telling the victim to "f*** off" again.
Fort pleaded guilty to threatening with a bladed article in a public place and intimidating a witness.
In a victim personal statement, the shopkeeper said that the incidents had left him "very scared".
Defending Fort, Claire Brocklebank told the court that he was only 18 at the time of the first incident and that he has struggled since he lost his dad, when aged 15.
Ms Brocklebank added that he has been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder - meaning that he loses his temper quickly.
She submitted that immediate custody would be "unjust" in the circumstances.
Judge Gilbart described the offences as "utterly disgraceful and said that they "went far beyond youthful stupidity".
He told Fort: "You should be ashamed at hearing somebody describing how you had this effect on them."
Fort was given a 16 month sentence, suspended for two years.
Judge Gilbart said: "Given the personal mitigation and given the prospects of rehabilitation, I am persuaded by a very narrow margin that a custodial term should be suspended."
Fort will be subject to a three-month curfew between 8pm and 7pm and will have to complete 200 hours unpaid work.
A restraining order was also issued, prohibiting Fort from contacting the shopkeeper or visiting the store.
"Don't come in front of me again," Judge Gilbart added.
