A BAGILLT man who was seen shouting in the street while holding a hammer has been spared jail.

George Williams, of Bron Haul, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 50-year-old admitted that on October 14, in Bagillt, he had in his possession an offensive weapon - namely a hammer.

Rhian Jackson, prosecuting, told the court that shortly before 10pm on the day of the offence, a resident of Bagillt became aware of banging out on the street.

He went outside and saw a male in a dark hooded top running down the street before getting into a vehicle and driving off towards Holywell.

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He then noticed a parked car in the street had been damaged - with a smashed window and tail lights.

The resident called the police, when Williams came from a bungalow nearby holding a hammer.

He was shouting and screaming into a phone, and was heard to say: "Get down here tooled up - my car's been smashed up."

The resident told Williams: "Listen mate, you're the victim here - put the hammer down."

Williams told him: "Go home, there could be people turning up with knives or guns."

The defendant walked towards him, which made him feel uneasy and return to his property.

Police attended the scene and arrested Williams.

Officers noted there had been damage caused to the defendant's vehicle - as well as to the windows of his home.

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When interviewed by the police, he made admissions about his behaviour, but explained he'd been at home drinking with a female when an unknown person came and smashed his bedroom window.

He claimed he picked up the hammer to defend himself, and it "didn't occur to him" to call the police.

Regarding his comments in the street, he said he was "shaken up and babbling."

He said he'd been receiving threatening phone calls, and the reason he'd walked towards the resident was to show him the nature of the calls.

Ceri Lewis, defending, said the incident was unpleasant "all-round," but that her client had made admissions immediately.

He hadn't called the police because he was under the impression someone else already had, Ms Lewis said, adding: "He has various mental health and other health issues."

District Judge Gwyn Jones handed down an 18-week custodial sentence, but suspended it for 12 months.

The defendant must undertake 15 days of rehabilitation activity and was ordered to pay £85 costs, as well as a £154 victim surcharge.