A SUSPECTED car thief who threatened a police officer with a meat cleaver was remanded in custody and told to expect a prison sentence.

The warning was given to Adam Hall, 24, before he was taken to the cells at Durham Crown Court after admitting a charge of affray stemming from the incident at his Peterlee home, on November 8.

Judge Christopher Prince said he would pass sentence next month, so Hall’s lawyer, Neil Bennett, asked for his bail to be continued, as he has been making good progress on a recent court community order.

The judge asked prosecuting counsel Shaun Dryden for the circumstances of the affray incident.

Mr Dryden said Hall locked himself in his bedroom at the house in Baliol Close when police came looking for him, on November 8.

An officer tried to get to him by climbing a ladder to the open window of the bedroom, but Hall produced the cleaver and warned him he would, “get it” if he came any closer.

The officer retreated down the ladder, and Hall subsequently dropped the cleaver and a knife from the window when further officers arrived on scene and spoke to him, before he was arrested.

Judge Prince said in those circumstances, threatening a police officer with such a weapon, he was not prepared to allow Hall bail and he may as well begin serving his prison sentence. The case was adjourned until April 26.