A MAN turned up with an axe at his girlfriend’s family home hours after threatening to “chop up” both her and her friends, a court heard.

On being told he could not see her as she was unwell upstairs, Joshua Thain wielded the axe, twice narrowly missing her mother’s partner.

The door was quickly closed and locked, and Thain left, causing £200 worth of damage to the family car, outside the house in Horden.

Durham Crown Court heard it was the culmination of Thain’s six-month relationship with the 21-year-old woman, which began well early this year, but became strained within months.

Jane Waugh, prosecuting, said although the woman had moved in with him, in March, she returned home following an argument, in May.

The relationship continued until the events of July 14, when she rang him to say she would not be seeing him that day as she was unwell.

Although Thain did not seem happy about that, he initially appeared to accept the position, until he rang her, at 6.30pm, in which he made the “chopping up” threats.

He knocked at his girlfriend’s family home demanding to see her, at 9.30pm, and became agitated when he was told she was still feeling unwell upstairs and did not want to see him.

Thain twice wielded the axe, just missing her mother’s retreating partner.

When they managed to shut the door, police were called, and, on arrival, officers noticed damage to the headlights and bodywork of the car parked outside.

The axe was recovered from a nearby garden and Thain was later arrested at an address in Tees Street, Horden.

He made no comment in interview, but the 23-year-old, of Tees Street, admitted making threats to kill, possessing an offensive weapon in public, affray and criminal damage, at an earlier hearing.

Chris Baker, mitigating, said reports suggest he has personality difficulties, exacerbated by his heavy intake of alcohol.

But, while in custody, he has been able to “detoxify” and now holds a trusted position on his wing.

Recorder James Baird said there was, “potential for really serious harm” by his behaviour that evening and jailed Thain for 30 months.

Restraining orders were made prohibiting him from trying to contact his now ex-girlfriend, or two friends, “until further order”.