A MAN who admitted making threats with a weapon has avoided being sent to jail

Mold Crown Court heard Louis Williamson, 23, of Bala Avenue, Greenfield, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of affray which occurred on March 12 last year.

Jo Maxwell, prosecuting, told the court Williamson arrived at the home of a Flint family and made threats while armed with a baseball bat.

She said Williamson had been asked by a third party for the victim's address and the victims received a note through their door asking them to call a particular phone number.

They did so and were told by an unidentified man that one of the sons of the family had run up a drug debt of more than £7,000 which would have to be paid.

After asking how the caller had found out where they lived, the family was told it had been supplied by Williamson, so they traced his mother's home address and visited it to discuss the call.

Once Williamson found out the Flint family had been in contact with his mother, the court heard, he went round to their home to tell them not to approach her again.

He later returned with a scarf over his face wielding a baseball bat, Ms Maxwell explained, smashing it into the family's garage door and making threats.

Robin Boag, defending, told the court: "He took exception to them going to see his mother and asked them not to.

"It was clearly a frightening incident. He does not seek to minimise that.

"He had the opportunity and the capacity to inflict violence but he had no intention of doing that."

The court heard Williamson had been concerned about his mother's health and he had expressed genuine remorse over the incident.

Mr Recorder Nicholas Gareth Jones handed Williamson a 12 month prison sentence but suspended it for two years.

He also ordered Williamson to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work in the community as well as taking part in an accredited programme for up to 30 days.

Williamson must also pay a victim surcharge of £140 in addition to £535 in costs.