A WARNING that street violence would not be tolerated was given by a judge after hearing how two armed men confronted each other in Kidderminster.

Alan Jordan was carrying a wooden stave and threatened to cut a woman's head off while Matthew Lavelle had a baseball bat.

At Worcester Crown Court, Judge Andrew Geddes said the altercation took place on an afternoon last November and passers-by would have been frightened. Such conduct affected people's quality of life and was unacceptable.

Jordan, 44, of Lion Street, Kidderminster, who pleaded guilty to affray and resisting arrest, was jailed for six months.

Prosecutor Ian Speed said Jordan had been drinking before he arrived at the Lavelle home. There was an argument and Jordan threatened to burn down the house as well as assault Mrs Mandy Baker.

When police tried to calm the situation, Jordan began swearing and punched PC Robin Dellbridge on the head as he was being arrested.

Michael Conry, defending, said Jordan had been provoked over a long period through having his car damaged and stepson intimidated. His drinking had given him Dutch courage and others in the pub had egged him on.

Since the incident, he and his partner had made a new start in Birmingham.

The judge accepted there had been provocation but Jordan should be ashamed of his reaction.