A MAN who threatened to throw acid over police and assault them with dumbbells has walked free from court - with a judge admitting he was taking a risk with him.

David Moore tried to stop officers getting into his home as they searched for his partner to question her for making threats to kill a social worker.

Moore refused to let them into the property, and issued the threats - described as “childish” by his barrister Ian West - from a bedroom window as he held the weights above his head.

A judge at Teesside Crown Court disputed the description, and told the 29-year-old, from Spennymoor: “Your behaviour was utterly out of order.”

Recorder Keith Miller added: “Although police officers might be in a position where they routinely have to cope with people saying all sorts of things to them, they is no reason why they should.

“Although Mr West said there was no acid in the house, the police were not to know that.

“There have been enough cases highlighted recently where appalling injuries have been caused by acid.”

Moore was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, after a probation officer said he was making progress under supervision since being freed from a previous jail term.

The officer said Moore was to receive more help to cope with stress and has an appointment with mental health workers next week, and a sentence in the community would be better for him than custody.

Mr Recorder Miller told him: “I am taking a risk, and it might be over-optimistic, but I trust their judgement, and it is clearly far better than you being kept at public expense in prison for a comparatively short period.”

Moore, of Tees Crescent, Spennymoor, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, and breaching a suspended sentence imposed last August for harassment and two assaults.

Mr West described the November incident at his home as “a stupid episode” and “childish” and said: “He quickly admitted he didn’t have any acid. From the police statements, they didn’t take his threats seriously.”