A MAN attacked his victim with a torch after calling at his home.

Bolton Crown Court heard how 52-year-old Michael Naughton visited the property in Park Street, Bolton, at 7.30pm on November 13.

David Lees, prosecuting, said victim Philip Harrison opened the door to be confronted by stranger Naughton, who grabbed him and started hitting him with a torch, telling him "I'm going to kill you".

"There doesn't appear to be any sensible motivation for this," commented Judge Timothy Stead.

Naughton is said to have calmed down when Mr Harrison got him in a headlock and police were called.

Mr Lees described Naughton's behaviour at the police station as "somewhat peculiar" — he refused to come out of his cell, stripped to his underwear and poured water under the door.

Naughton pleaded guilty to assault and also breaching a restraining order not to visit his mother's home.

The order was made in 2017 after he burgled her home, but on December 10 last year police found him at the property.

Nicholas Ross, defending. said Naughton now has stable accommodation at Muamba House in Bolton. Judge Stead opted to defer sentence until June 13 in order for Naughton to prove he can stay offence free and co-operate with the probation service. "If you fulfil your side of this then you will not be sent to prison," he told Naughton.