A student barber who said he was in a 'stabbing mood' threatened to kill his best friend before damaging his car

Anthony Nicholson-Wood, 22, of Bridekirk, Albany, Washington, erupted after his friend refused to give a 5.40am lift home to pals after a house party due to being the worse for wear.

They exchanged words and then blows before Nicholson-Wood picked up a blade in his parent’s home when they were away on holiday, magistrates in South Tyneside heard.

His friend left the house before Nicholson-Wood went outside and used the weapon to inflict an estimated £2,714 of damage to his 2013-plate Ford Fiesta on Saturday, October 26, last year.

Prosecutor Glenda Beck said the victim saw the defendant holding knives and saying he wanted to kill somebody, but thought that it was just a joke – and went off to bed.

She said: “A witness stayed in the kitchen in the company of the defendant. She described his behaviour as weird and he kept getting knives from a draw.

“He said he was in a ‘stabbing mood’ and at one point put a knife to a friend’s face. She was concerned by his behaviour.

“She’d seen the defendant’s mood swings, but said that she hadn’t seen anything like this before.”

The spark came when a female partygoer woke the friend and asked him to drive her home, which he refused to do because of earlier alcohol intake, the court heard.

Mrs Beck added: “The defendant was screaming at him. He said to get out of his house and take his car off the drive.

“The argument was verbal but quickly became physical. The defendant then had in his possession a bladed kitchen knife which he had behind his back.

“The complainant saw him holding a long-handled kitchen knife. He proceeded to run towards him.

“The complainant feared that the defendant was going to stab him and feared for his life.

“On the driveway, the defendant attacked the vehicle with the knife. The witness saw him run the knife along the tyres. He also punched the rear windscreen, which shattered.

“The witness then told the complainant about the damage in a call, and he returned to the car.

“The defendant was heard to shout from a window that he was going to kill him. They feared for their lives and left the scene in the car.”

Greg Flaxen, defending, said: “There’s an argument between best friends. Unfortunately this has escalated and Mr Nicholson-Wood finds himself potentially facing a serious sentence.

“The frustration comes and he damages the vehicle. He was fully compliant when the police arrested him.

“The injured party is yards and yards away when they have this argument, they are not up close.

“It’s only when he sees the damage to the vehicle that he calls the police. We accept the seriousness of the offence and that knives are a no-no.”

Magistrates jailed Nicholson-Wood, who pleaded guilty to criminal damage, for 12 weeks, suspended for 12 months.

He must complete 25 rehabilitation days, take a Thinking Skills programme and pay £500 compensation.