Nightmare neighbour pulled samurai sword from his trousers
A nightmare neighbour shouted abuse and threats in the street before causing terror with a samurai sword.
Within a month of moving into St Cuthbert's Terrace in Sunderland, Daniel Mutimer had fallen out with a regular visitor to one of the properties and threatened to "snap his other leg" when he saw him on crutches.
The 31-year-old used offensive hand gestures towards the man, who would regularly visit the street to see his ex-partner and children, shouted at him and even spray painted an offensive word onto a fence.
Mutimer had warned his victim he should "watch your back" and "I'm going to slit your throat".
Police became involved on September 10 last year when the man's ex-partner was about to drive the children to school and Mutimer approached her car.
Prosecutor Claire Anderson told Newcastle Crown 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 court heard when officers arrived at the scene Mutimer was armed with a claw hammer and was threatened with a taser before he dropped it.
He then started "lashing out" and kicked one of the officers several times while screaming "come on then" before he was arrested.
The victims said in an impact statement they "wished they could go back to a normal life" and that they were caused stressful, sleepless nights because of Mutimer's behaviour.
Mutimer pleaded guilty to using threatening words and behaviour, assault on an emergency worker and possession of a bladed article.
Tony Cornberg, defending, said in mitigation that Mutimer, who now lives with a relative in South Shields, has complex mental health difficulties, but he is working with the authorities who can help him.
Mr Recorder Neil Haythorne sentenced Mutimer to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements, a six-month nighttime curfew and £200 costs.
The judge said Mutimer has a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation" with the correct intervention, which he is now getting.