A MAN who threatened his neighbour by brandishing a machete in a 'terrifying' incident has been spared jail.

Daniel Hennesy, aged 37, was sentenced to 15 months in prison suspended for two years at Bolton Crown Court.

The court was told the incident came after a disagreement between Hennesy and his neighbour, Kyle Wilcock.

The pair had known each other for 12 months and generally got on well, but Mr Wilcock said Hennesy could sometimes be 'aggressive' and have 'paranoid thoughts'.

Hennesy had five rare American bulldogs, and Mr Wilcock also had a dog which he would take out for walks, the court heard.

On June 21 Mr Wilcock was walking his dog past Hennesy’s house, in Marlbrook Walk, Great Lever, when Hennesy shouted at him, saying: “You are trying to set me up”.

Gavin Howie, prosecuting, said that Mr Wilcock had no idea what was being referred to and he ignored it.

Later that evening, Mr Wilcock was out walking his dog again when he came across Hennesy, who was with one of his dogs and blocked his way on the footpath.

Mr Wilcock tried to walk around him but Hennesy blocked his path, and to prevent further confrontation he decided to walk home.

He was scared when he noticed that Hennesy was following him, and had produced a meat cleaver with a 12 inch blade from his waistline.

He locked his door behind him but Hennesy hit the door using the butt end of the blade five or six times, causing damage to the door.

Mr Wilcock also claimed he heard Hennesy shout “attack, attack” referring to his dog, and that he made threats to kill him, before leaving and returning home.

Hennesy, who has 10 previous convictions including conspiracy to supply class A drugs, was arrested at his house that evening.

Oliver Jarvis, defending, said that Hennesy apologies for the fear caused to Mr Wilcock, who has since moved away from the area.

Mr Jarvis added that Hennesy has “all sorts of problems linked to his past”, and that he hopes to start a business breeding American bulldogs upon his release.

Addressing Hennesy, recorder John Bromley-Davenport QC admitted that some may describe his sentence as “lenient”, but decided to give him a chance.

He said: “It is a serious offence, to produce a machete and seek to in effect attack someone in their own home, or at least threaten them.

“It must have been a terrifying experience and it is wholly unacceptable behaviour. You are 37 and it’s time you realised you have to control yourself on all occasions, not just most occasions.”

Hennesy previously pleaded guilty to a count of possessing a bladed article and to one count of affray.

He must complete a supervision order, and a restraining order was imposed to protect his victim.