A MAN who snapped when his son asked him for some of his takeaway has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Glen Burnside was heavily intoxicated when he returned to his home following a drinking session with a pal.

Prosecuting, Rachel Masters said the 25-year-old told his son to shut up and swore at him after refusing to give him some of his takeaway.

His friend tried to calm the situation, but then Burnside turned on him goading him into a fight - before leaving and returning with a knife, which he waved around, shouting and making threats.

Other adults present in the house managed to disarm the defendant, but he then grabbed a hammer, smashing it onto the kitchen floor.

“The children were screaming and were petrified by this behaviour”, said Ms Masters.

Burnside, of Pensbury Street, Darlington, who was of previous good character, admitted affray on June 8 this year.

He was said to have become stressed by the cramped conditions he and his family were living in and was ashamed of his conduct.

Recorder Christopher Knox told the defendant: “You drink too much and family circumstances got on top of you.

“There were far too many people living in your house and the pressures seem to have caused you to flip.

“This behaviour could have been very dangerous indeed.”

Recorder Knox suspended a three month jail sentence on Burnside for a year. He said he would be supervised by the probation service for 12 months and do 60 hours unpaid work.