A CLEVEDON man threatened a police officer while brandishing an axe after warning another man he would ‘slit his throat,’ a court heard.

Anthony Cleeves had to be tasered after he refused to co-operate during the incident outside his Greenway Park home.

Yesterday (Tues), he appeared at North Somerset Courthouse in St Georges and pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive words to cause fear or violence, after he refused to return a set of ladders.

Kevin Blackmore, prosecuting, told the court that Cleeves suffers with bipolar disorder and police were called to the 50-year-old’s address on September 10.

He said: “A police officer was called by a Mr Trenall, who attempted to retrieve his ladders after doing some work.

“The defendant refused to give them back and threatened to slit his throat and kill him.”

The court heard that, when PC Hill arrived, the defendant became abusive towards him through an open window of his home, swearing and telling him to ‘get in here.’

Mr Blackmore said: “PC Hill had fear for his welfare and that of other members of the public who were on the street.

“He (Cleeves) then came out of the front door holding an axe above his head shouting abuse and calling ‘come on then.’ PC Hill identified himself as a taser officer and said he (Cleeves) was putting him and other members of the public in danger.

“Other officers arrived but to no avail, and the defendant was tasered at his front door and then handcuffed.

“He was then taken to Weston General Hospital to have the taser guard removed.

“The defendant said he suffers from bipolar disorder and stopped taking his medicine a month ago, which has affected his mental health.”

Magistrates will sentence Cleeves once a pre-sentence and mental health report is compiled.