A SOUTHAMPTON dad stood outside his block of flats with a samurai sword and threatened to cut his neighbours' heads off after smashing up his own home, a court heard.
Peter Canning, 33, of Holyrood Avenue, was arrested by police while he carried the deadly weapon after a neighbour was too scared to walk into the apartment block, Southampton Crown Court was told.
Canning had previously had a run-in with police after he went to his ex-partner's house to see their young child and he started shouting abuse and tried kicking the door in.
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The court heard how when the police arrived at the scene he shouted to his ex-partner that he would "break her nose".
When police told him to stop shouting threats he shouted: "I'm going to come round and sort you out. It will take more than three police officers to get me down."
After being arrested Canning was released on police bail only to be taken into custody again when he wrecked his home in Highfield.
When the police arrived at the flat he was stood outside and told the officers: "If you take the sword I will just get something bigger and slice my neighbours' heads off. I hate them."
The court heard how Canning told the police he had just smashed up his home and when they went inside the property, owned by Raglan housing association, they found fist-sized holes and slash marks across the walls and door.
Guilty plea
In mitigation, the court heard that Canning had been receiving treatment for psychological problems and that he believed his neighbours were carrying guns.
Canning pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage and affray, and the court was told his actions were a combination of stress, fear and over-reaction and that both incidents were a cry for help.
Sentencing him to 14 months in prison Judge John Boggis said he had great concerns for Canning's mental health and need for help.
"But I also have concerns for the public because people waving samurai swords about is really unacceptable behaviour," he said.
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