A MAN went on a drunken rampage before picking up a knife and saying he was "going to kill somebody", a court heard yesterday.

Darlington Magistrates' Court heard that Khalid Dowd, 22, had kicked open a stranger's door before going to his grandmother's house, taking a knife from her kitchen drawer, making the threat and leaving the house.

Dowd, of Shildon Street, Darlington, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, possessing a blade and committing criminal damage.

The incidents took place on June 10, in Bates Avenue, Darlington.

James Thomas, prosecuting, told the court that the victim had been watching television in his front room when he heard a loud bang before his front door came crashing open.

He told police he saw an Asian man in his 20s "staggering around in a wild manner" in front of the door.

Mr Thomas said that when he asked the man what he was doing, the man hurled abuse at him, before walking away.

The victim said there was then a further verbal altercation with the same man outside the house, and his wife had called the police.

"A further call then came in from Bates Avenue, reporting that a male, called Dowd, had walked into the house, picked up a knife and said he was going to kill somebody," Mr Thomas told the court.

When police arrived, the defendant was agitated and smelled of alcohol. When he was being taken to the police station, he shouted and swore at officers and tried to headbutt the side of the van.

Mr Thomas said when Dowd was interviewed, he admitted all the offences but said he would not have hurt anyone else with the knife, only himself.

In mitigation, Graham Silvester said Dowd knew he had behaved in an unacceptable way, which had been caused by drink.

Mr Silvester said: "He is very remorseful for that."

Dowd accepted he would have to pay compensation, Mr Silvester added.

Magistrates imposed a two-year community order with supervision and ordered the defendant pay compensation of £110 and costs of £35.