A 40-year-old tenant who threatened his former landlord with a machete during a dispute over money has received two suspended prison sentences.

Paul Priestley, of Wellingford Mount, Allerton, Bradford, who had pleaded guilty to affray and possessing an offensive weapon, brandished the weapon while demanding the landlord return a bond, the city’s crown court heard.

Prosecutor Joseph Spencer said Priestley had lived at the house in Broomfield Street, Queensbury, for ten months before being evicted in April after accruing £4,000 in unpaid rent.

He had agreed with landlord David Roberts to stay on with his possessions while he found somewhere else to live after paying a £430 bond, the court heard.

A week later he approached 66-year-old Mr Roberts about the return of the bond but was told to come back later that day. Priestley, who had previous convictions for violent offences, said he returned and found his possessions, which included the ornamental Gurkha knife, in a skip.

The court was told he went to Mr Roberts’s house and demanded the money be returned.

In a statement, Mr Roberts said he was terrified when Priestley, who was drunk, took out the machete and waved it around while shouting threats.

A passer-by called police and the weapon was found when officers searched under his coat.

Mitigating for Priestley, barrister Ken Green said his client’s girlfriend had rented the house and he had lived there until she left after the court proceedings.

Mr Green said Mr Roberts had pursued Priestley with a golf club and he received hospital treatment after he was arrested.

Judge Robert Bartfield sentenced Priestley to nine months in prison for each offence, to run concurrently, suspended for 12 months. He also imposed a 12-month community order with a three-month curfew and a restraining order to prevent Priestley contacting Mr Roberts.

He found him not guilty of charges of blackmail and criminal damage.