A man from Ipswich has avoided an immediate jail term after brandishing a baseball on a petrol station forecourt in the town.

Modestas Duoba was seen to get out of an Audi convertible on the forecourt of the BP garage in Norwich Road, Ipswich and take a baseball bat out of the boot, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

He had then tried to hit a BMW, which was also on the forecourt, with the bat and had to be restrained by two friends, said Michael Crimp, prosecuting.

Shortly before the incident on December 14 Duoba was seen sitting in the back of the Audi on a shelf where the roof was stored, shouting in a foreign language.

Duoba, 26, of Wherstead Road, Ipswich, admitted possessing an offensive weapon and using threatening behaviour and was given an eight week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £120 costs.

Sentencing him Recorder John Brooke-Smith said: “ This must have been an utterly terrifying experience for anyone who had the misfortune to see it.”

Roger Thomson for Duoba said no injury or damage was caused during the incident.