A MAN held a knife to his cousin’s throat and smashed her house up on Christmas Day after mixing alcohol and prescription medication.

Kyle Beckett, 31, of Lane Top, Bradford, appeared at Bradford Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced after admitting affray.

The court heard the incident unfolded when there had been a family gathering. Beckett left the party that night, along with his cousin Lauren McDaid and her partner Daniel Stoney, to go to their house at Wibsey Park Avenue.

Prosecutor Kenneth Green said at around 11.30pm, Ms McDaid was in the kitchen when the defendant picked up a knife and held it to her throat, saying words to the effect of “do you want to kill me?” and “do you want me to die?” She managed to calm him down and put the knife away, but he continued to behave in a “bizarre way”, smashing items, swearing and shouting. He also picked up another knife and began waving it around. The court heard he caused around £2,000 damage, which his parents paid for and he is paying back.

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When interviewed, Beckett said he had bipolar disorder and should not have been drinking given the fact he was taking medication, leading to him behave in a way which was “out of character”.

The court heard personal circumstances had also played a part and he felt “real remorse”. He was given a 12-month sentence suspended for 18 months.