A SUFFOLK father restrained his drunken son who brandished an axe and threatened to burn a man's home.Timothy Richardson, 20, of Orford, now faces jail for common assault and possession of an offensive weapon for his actions in May.

A SUFFOLK father restrained his drunken son who brandished an axe and threatened to burn a man's home.

Timothy Richardson, 20, of Orford, now faces jail for common assault and possession of an offensive weapon for his actions in May.

The victim, the owner of a house on Rectory Road, Orford, was alerted to a man riding round his private grounds on a motorbike at 11pm.

"He decided to go out in his car and attempt to locate the person," said Gareth Davies, prosecuting at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court.

Later he spotted Richardson going into his house on Market Hill. He knocked on the door before walking straight in, calling out for the Richardson's father, who he knew.

"He [Richardson] was annoyed the victim had come into his home uninvited and he [Richardson] became aggressive and abusive," said Mr Davies.

A row erupted and the victim argued Richardson lunged at him with a knife, which was disputed in court.

After the victim left Richardson walked towards him holding a trenching tool. The victim tried to block the blows and was struck, causing swelling and bruising to his arms.

"The defendant's father restrained his son and took him back into the house," said Mr Davies.

The villager arrived back home but five minutes later spotted the defendant brandishing an axe and shouting and swearing at him.

"Comments were made about burning the victim's home and killing his family," said Mr Davies.

Richardson's father tried to drag his son away but the "defendant took off his belt and struck out." The victim was hit in the face, causing minor cuts.

The next day Richardson's father "expressed his regret about what happened and told [the victim] he was having personal problems within the family and having trouble controlling his son."

Later that day Richardson was seen riding his motorbike again around the grounds and the police were called. Richardson was arrested and the axe was recovered.

In police interview Richardson admitted being abusive but was shocked to find the victim in his house at that time of night. He admitted taking off his belt, but said he didn't assault him.

"He said he was under the influence of alcohol was prone to mood swings and had a volatile temper. His father admitted having to restrain his son several times on the night in question."

Roger Thomson, mitigating, said: "Despite all the provocation it is quite clear the victim came barging into my clients house at 11 pm. He [the victim] had been drinking himself and was very aggressive. My defendant had been drinking and totally over-reacted to the occasion."

Bench chairwoman Ann Walker agreed to all options reports before sentencing on July 15.

She told Richardson: "You must not assume custody has been ruled out."