A MAN who brandished a knife and made threats to stab two brothers wept in court as he narrowly avoided prison.

Kyle Cook, 24, produced a 3in to 5in kitchen knife and told one victim he would “stab him up”.

Ipswich Crown Court heard on June 24 last year at around 8.30pm, Cook and three others travelled in a Ford Fiesta to the home of the victims in Mill Road, West Mersea.

Tom Worden, prosecuting, said: “The defendant had gone to that address, it seems, because of a dispute between two sets of parties over a debt of £40 for a car part.”

An argument ensued outside the property and was resolved, but Cook confronted one of the victims over an old allegation he had been “bad-mouthing”

him.

The prosecution say Cook then pulled the knife from his waistband before making verbal threats to stab both brothers.

Cook tells a different story, claiming he fetched the knife from a toolbox in his car, denying he brought the blade for “any criminal purpose”.

The court heard the knife was brandished in front of the mother of the two victims.

Cook, of Goldhanger Road, Heybridge, admitted making threats with a blade in a public place.

Cathryn Sutcliffe, mitigating, said Cook, who has mental health issues, had never been in trouble with the police before.

“He understands his behaviour on that day was unacceptable,” she said.

The court heard Cook, who held his head in his hands and showed visible remorse in court, had battled severe depression, ADHD and anxiety.

Recorder Gabrielle Posner said: “You clearly come from a good, supportive family. You have mental health problems and I can see you are remorseful.”

Ms Posner imposed a six month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with a condition to complete a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Cook’s parents attended court in support of their son, his emotional mum thanking the judge for her leniency.

Ms Posner told Cook she never wanted to see him back before the courts again, adding: “I think mum and dad want to take you away now, as far away as possible.”