AN irate man who threatened scaffolders with a knife after they disturbed him early in the morning has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

Stephen Osadzenko threw an ornament and a glass jar at the workmen outside his flat in Otley Street, Skipton, at 7.30am on July 23, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Osadzenko, 59, had worked a six day week when he was woken by the scaffolders, who told him: "This is the only slot the Council could give us."

He pleaded guilty to affray and possession of an offensive weapon and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with 100 hours of unpaid work.

He must obey a two month curfew order and pay £250 prosecution costs.

Prosecutor Adam Walker told the court that the ornament and glass jar missed the workmen and smashed nearby.

Osadzenko then appeared with the knife which he brandished at the workmen, saying: "I'll stick this in your face."

In mitigation, his solicitor advocate, Helen Taylor, handed in letters from her client's employers and family.

She said the hard working grandfather was "deeply, deeply remorseful."

He was not in good health and had been working a six day week when he was disturbed by the workmen.

Osadzenko's last conviction was in 2012 when he was conditionally discharged for criminal damage.

"Nothing like this will happen again," Miss Taylor said.

Judge David Hatton QC said: "This was a disgraceful incident in which workmen going about their lawful business were threatened and abused; not only threatened but threatened with a weapon."

But Osadzenko had a good job and a lot of responsibility and he was genuinely very remorseful.

The curfew order runs from 9pm to 6am.