A YOUNG man who brandished a wooden fence post when trouble flared at a Wrexham wake had been hit by his own family tragedy just weeks before, a court was told.

Ryan Lee Ford lost control after the funeral of Luke Bowen, a friend of his late brother Martin Ford, the former manager of FC Queens Park, whose death triggered an outpouring of emotion on the Caia Park estate.

Ford became embroiled with Stephanie Williams who it was said was shouting at him and the trouble escalated to involve others on Churton Drive on the estate.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told Wrexham Magistrates Court the teenager reacted by picking up a two-metre long fence post and ran towards his victim “putting them in fear”.

He was pulled away by a friend as he shouted “I’m going to smash your f****** face in”.

But the court was told the young man and many others on the estate were badly affected by his brother’s death and emotions were running high.

Deputy district judge Roger Lowe heard that because of Ford’s undiagnosed mental health issues the probation service were unable to work with him had a community sentence been imposed.

He imposed what he described as an “exceptional sentence” of a two-year conditional discharge on the teenager.

Ford, 18, of Crossways, Wrexham, admitted threatening behaviour and possession of an offensive weapon on June 12.

Alun Williams, defending, said: “It was a highly emotional time and some of the people in the video (shown to the court) are wearing white T-shirts in memory of Luke Bowen.

“Ryan had been to the funeral during the day and was sat on a bench minding his own business, but reacted when a dog owner began shouting at him.

“He has taken the death of his brother badly, his brother was a very important figure. His death has hit the community very hard and has hit Ryan very hard.”

Mr Williams also noted: “In his naivety and perhaps grief he picked up a large stick. It is not a particularly dangerous implement - it was a stick and drink may have played a part.

The court was told about Ford’s mental health issues and that he was waiting to be assessed by the adult mental health team and his solicitor added: “Once your schooling comes to an end CAMHS washes its hands of you.

“He has been very badly let down by the education system.

“His parents pushed for a (special needs) assessment. He has learning difficulties and is prone to anger outbursts.”