A DRUNKEN man threatened to burn down a woman’s home after she complained about him making noise.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Nicholas Sherlock was heard shouting outside a flat in Starkie Road, Tonge Moor where his relatives live at 9.20pm on April 15.

Police were called and he left, but returned two hours later and continued to shouting and banging on the ground floor flat door.

But Claire Brocklebank, prosecuting, said that when a woman who lives in the flat upstairs went out onto her balcony for a cigarette and heard the commotion she asked him to stop making a noise and “have some respect” for others.

However, 48-year-old Sherlock swore at the woman and told her he was going to set fire to the building.

Mr Morley said the comments badly affected the woman as she had previously been involved in a fire.

Sherlock, of Booth Road, Little Lever, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour.

Neil Ronan, defending, said that, whilst in prison awaiting sentencing, Sherlock has “grasped the nettle” and addressed his alcoholism.

He was sentenced to a community order for 12 months with 18 days of rehabilitation.