AN angry, axe-wielding husband threatened to chop a neighbour's arms off before arming himself with a pool cue, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the neighbour was terrified when confronted face to face by Terence Nicholson. The man 'dived' for the weapon after Nicholson swung it towards him and repeatedly hit a picnic table with it.

Nicholson, 33, of Back Church Street, Barrowford, has pleaded not guilty to affray, two counts of having an offensive weapon and common assault, in May.

The jury was told how the neighbour heard some shouting, looked through the Nicholsons' window and saw Nicholson holding his wife by the throat against the wall. He shouted to the defendant "what are you doing?" and Nicholson charged out of the door and told him it was none of his business.

The court was told that Nicholson went towards him, waving an axe about, at which point the neighbour went back home, told his girlfriend and then went back to check on Nicholson's wife, Alison. Police were alerted.

Nicholson continued to wave the weapon around and threatened to chop the neighbour's arms off. The complainant 'dived' for the axe and his girlfriend also grabbed it, suffering a cut hand. Nicholson's hand was banged against a railing and he dropped the axe. The neighbour went back home but Nicholson allegedly came outside with a pool cue. He heard his friend screaming and holding his arm. Nicholson backed off and police arrived.

Ciaran Rankin, defending, suggested there was a row at the Nicholsons but there was no 'physicality.' Nicholson was not holding his wife against a wall. The neighbour allegedly walked into the house uninvited.

Mr Rankin suggested the neighbour and two more men went round to the defendant's home 'mob handed,' being abusive and kicking his door. The axe was produced at that stage.

Nicholson did not wave it around, but 'showed it' to the group. The defendant was then attacked, pulled from his house and beaten as he was on the ground.

Mr Rankin told the jury the aggrieved's version of events was 'all fantasy' and his claim that he had grabbed the axe was 'nonsense.'

(Proceeding)

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