AN Ellesmere Port man caught wielding a rubber mallet by police has been handed a suspended sentence.

George Davies, 29, of Woolton Court, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon - the rubber mallet - as well as possessing a bladed article that was on him at the time police confronted him, that being a butter knife.

Davies admitted both charges when he appeared at Chester Magistrates court on Friday, July 30.

Prosecuting, Jonathan Wilkinson said emergency services had received a call on June 6 from Davies, saying he had been assaulted and he was going to "take a hammer" and "kill him".

Police later arrived at Davies's address, where he was coming down the communal area stairs while carrying a rubber-headed mallet.

At the third time of asking, he put the hammer down and he was searched, where officers found he was also in possession of a butter knife.

Davies had previous convictions, including one for possession of an offensive weapon in 2011, and his most recent offence for being drunk and disorderly in July 2020.

Defending, Rebecca Boswell said it had been a guilty plea at the first opportunity and Davies had made full admissions in police interview.

On the day of the offence, Davies had been out drinking with friends, but on his return to his home, there were two men trying to get inside.

He tried to get them to go away, but one of them "came at him".

Davies called police, but became frustrated with the call handler and said he was going to get a hammer.

After the call, Davies went to get himself something to eat, and later heard people trying to gain entrance to his home again.

He picked up the hammer and went down the stairs, and had not realised it was the police who had attended, and he put the hammer down and put his hands up.

He said he did not know why the knife was in his pocket, and may have been there when he was making food.

The court heard Davies had mental health issues including anxiety and depression, and was using his work as a "crutch" to keep himself going.

A probation officer had recommended a community order for the defendant.

Magistrates handed Davies a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He must complete a 12-month community order to include 35 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and 28 sessions of the Resolve programme.

He must pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

The mallet and butter knife were to be forfeited and destroyed.