Jail for knife chase man

Simon Foy, 21, began shouting threats at Darren Emblen after returning from a drinking binge at a friend's house in June.

He warned he would hurt anyone who hurt his mother then smashed her bedroom door in as the victim tried to hide from him.

Mr Emblen was then forced to use the door as a shield after Foy fetched a bread knife and threatened him with it.

Lewes Crown Court heard the drama finally ended after Foy's mother managed to run out and call police who found Mr Emblen cowering in the bathroom.

Foy, of Paton Road, who had been given a suspended sentence for a pub punch-up in May last year, was jailed for 15 months after admitting affray and assault.

Anne Toynbee, prosecuting, told the court the defendant returned home at 1.30am on June 28 and woke up his girlfriend, his mother and her partner by shouting.

She said: "He went into his mother's bedroom and started shouting that he would hurt anyone who hurt his mother including Mr Emblen.

"His mother and his girlfriend tried to placate him but he started shouting he was going to kill someone.

"Mr Emblen came to the bedroom door and he tried to attack him. The defendant kicked the door so hard it came off its hinges then said he was going to get a knife and went downstairs.

"Mr Emblen heard scraping noises then the knife came through the door, scratching his knuckles. He was holding the broken door up to protect himself.

"The defendant went back downstairs so Mr Emblen took the opportunity to hide in the bathroom. He returned and said 'I'm going to kill you, come out and fight like a man'.

"He banged on the bathroom door to try to get in but then the police arrived and arrested him."

The court heard Mr Emblen had written a statement in the aftermath of the incident describing how he had suffered nightmares since but hoped Foy could be helped.

Guy Russell, defending, told the court: "When not in drink Mr Foy is a very pleasant man who everybody speaks highly of.

"He's obviously let himself down in dramatic fashion. He was upset about trying to get contact with his child.

"He went downhill rapidly and turned to alcohol again. His perception was skewered by drink, he didn't know what he was doing. He cannot recall taking up the wicked implement."

Jailing Foy, Recorder John Hardy QC told him: "I accept you are genuinely contrite for your conduct.

"People who attack unarmed people with weapons are not only violent but cowardly. The public would be aghast if this kind of behaviour were to go unpunished by not imposing a custodial sentence."

Foy was sentenced to 15 months for the original offence of malicious wounding and nine months concurrent for affray and assault.