A MAN has been spared jail after brandishing a knife to threaten his neighbour in a dispute over cannabis.

Michael Holleran, 46, of Northway in Lymm, was told he would be given a suspended sentence as he was ‘taking steps to improve’.

On Thursday, September 20, prosecutor Sarah Badrawy told Chester Crown Court that at 11pm on November 17, Holleran knocked on the victim's front door, who was one of his neighbours.

The victim answered the door and Holleran asked him if he had a joint of cannabis.

After the victim said no, Holleran became annoyed and agitated, revealing a knife with a blade of three to four inches, pointing it towards the victim's gut.

The victim's wife witnessed the incident and pulled her husband back.

Holleran folded the blade back into the handle and returned home.

However, twenty seconds later, the victim heard a thud which sounded like a hard kick to his front door and called the police.

The court heard upon questioning, Holleran admitted that he had been drinking alcohol and had kicked the victim's door.

Police also recovered a knife matching the description of the one used against the victim from Holleran's home.

In a trial on June 20, Holleran pleaded guilty to kicking the door and producing the bladed article but denied that the knife police found in his home was the one he had used.

Holleran has six previous convictions for 16 offences, but he has never been jailed.

Gareth Roberts, defending, said a psychiatric report was made for Holleran in July and since the incidents he has made changes to his life.

He has stopped using cannabis and has moved away from the address where he committed the offence.

He was battling mental illness and, unable to cope, was becoming increasingly unwell but has now started taking medication.

The court was also told that Holleran was aware of the seriousness of the offence and was motivated to take any assistance and support.

Sentencing, recorder Ahmed Nadim, said: "You caused a great deal of distress and harm and in those circumstances there is no justification in moving away from the sentencing guidelines which indicate 18 months custody.

"But, I am going to reduce this to 16 months in prison.

"The question now is if you should serve immediately or not.

"This incident was aggravated by you being under the influence of alcohol.

"But, you are a man who has laid under mental health problems for some time.

"It appears you have some insight into your own failures and are taking steps to improve yourself.

"I take the view that the court can invest some trust in you with the changes you have made in not reoffending."

Recorder Ahmed Nadim handed Holleran a 16 month custodial sentence suspended for two years and a victim surcharge.

He was also made subject of a rehabilitation activity requirement for 25 days and must give full co-operation with a doctor to attend any medical courses or treatments recommended.