A THUG who threatened a Northwich man with an axe after failing to collect a debt has been spared an immediate jail sentence.

James Parkes, 27, of Cockington Close, Leftwich, appeared before Chester Crown Court on Wednesday.

He pleaded guilty to affray and possession of a bladed article in a public place at a previous hearing on July 14.

He was initially charged with possessing an imitation firearm, although this was dropped.

The court heard how on June 14, 2016, Parkes attended the address of Robert Wilson in Northwich around 9.30pm to collect a debt from his son.

Parkes claims the debt was in relation to a motorcycle.

Things quickly escalated and Mr Wilson asked Parkes to leave.

Prosecuting, Paulinus Barnes, said: “Parkes went to get an axe that was on the backseat of his car to confront Mr Wilson with.

“An elderly neighbour described seeing Parkes swinging the axe at Mr Wilson.”

Parkes left the scene while issuing threats of violence.

He was later arrested and told police that Mr Wilson was ‘intoxicated’ and said he took the axe in self-defence.

He said the axe was for chopping wood.

A statement from Mr Wilson read in court described how he no longer feels safe in the area.

The statement said: “Even though he is in prison, I don’t feel safe because his friends still live in the area and know where I live.

“When I do go out I am constantly looking around. I don’t feel safe.

“I feel I must move out of the area. Jamie knows where I live. I will never feel safe here.”

The court heard how Parkes has a string of previous convictions, including being convicted of having an offensive weapon in a public place.

Defending, Keith Jones said Parkes has issues with ‘consequential thinking’, and struggles to deal with his anger.

He said he was ‘extremely remorseful’ for his actions, and offered to write a letter of apology to the elderly neighbour who witnessed the incident.

Mr Jones said: “He wants to turn his life around. He has found prison a solitary experience.

“He wants to progress with his life.”

Parkes was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Delivering his sentence, Judge Nicholas Woodward said: “You are 27 years of age and have accumulated quite a record so far, a lot of it for violence.

“On this occasion you went to Mr Wilson’s home to enforce a debt you said his son owed to you. When Mr Wilson asked you to leave you responded how you have done previously.

“You went to your car and took out a very large axe. You went over to Mr Wilson, bringing the axe with you and threatened him with it.”