A Bury St Edmunds man who said “he just saw red” and threatened his neighbour with a knife over a parking dispute has been given a 12-month community order.  

Richard Sandy, 78, of Malvern Road, Bury St Edmunds, told the court his neighbour Luke Rustis had “pulled up in his big new truck with his big new trailer which blocked everything” on July 2 last year.

Sandy, who represented himself, said this was the “straw that broke the camel’s back” after the neighbours had argued for three years about parking as Sandy told the court that Mr Rustis "often blocked him in".

The defendant, who admitted the offence of threatening a person with a blade in a public place, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday and described how the argument started that afternoon.

Sandy told the court when he saw the truck blocking his exit he went and said “what are you doing?

“He said 'go away old man'.

“Then I lost it.”

The court heard he went back into his house and emerged with an old gardening knife that had an 18cm blade.

“I picked up the knife and threatened him with it. I wanted to let him know this is enough, this is the straw that broke the camel's back.

“I've been bullied all my life and there he is laughing his head off calling me an old man.”

He went on to say: “I’m 78 years old and I thought ‘why should I have to put up with this?’”

“Yes, I know it was wrong.

But he added: “I had no intention of hurting him, but I just wanted to say this is enough."

Prosecutor Naila Hadid told the court that Mr Rusitis’ partner Rebecca Lewis had come out and Sandy had insulted her.

When Rusitis challenged Sandy over his insults he replied “I am going to knife you” and that is when he went into the property and returned with the knife, holding it above his head while making stabbing gestures.

He then shouted “come on then!”, the court heard.

According to Ms Hadid the victim said at one point knife nearly touched him and he feared for his life.

Other neighbours came out and saw the scene and later one said Sandy was “extremely intoxicated” however the defendant disputed this and said he had only had two beers.

The whole argument lasted between 10-15 minutes and ended when the police were called and arrested Sandy after finding the knife in his garden.

Judge David Pugh said: “I bear in mind you are 78 that you are of previous good character.

“You have described what append as being out of character, you described it as ‘a moment of madness’ but whatever your perception of the behaviour of a neighbour it is no excuse for resorting to aggressive behaviour and making threats waving a knife.

"However, I do accept you had no intention to actually cause harm."

Judge Pugh also took into account there had been no repetition of a similar confrontation since the first and so he said the sentence would be a “lenient one”.

He gave Sandy a 12 month community order with 25 rehabilitation activity days.

He imposed a restraining order for three years banning him from contacting Mr Redditis or Ms Lewis.