A tenant took an axe to the property he was living in after a dispute with the housing association manager.

Daniel Rushton was found by police at Hebden Court, Halliwell, where significant damage had been caused.

Bolton Crown Court heard he had also harassed the housing association officer and made threats towards him and his family.

Police were called to the property and found extensive damage. This included four window panes which had been smashed with an axe.

Rushton was arrested at the scene.

It emerged he had threatened the housing association officer, sending messages which were aggressive and threatening.

Jane Dagnall, prosecuting, read a victim impact statement from the housing association officer.

It said: “I feel my life and the life of my family have been threatened.”

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Ruston, 41 and from Hebden Court, Halliwell, Bolton, appeared in court to be sentenced after admitting criminal damage and harassment in September last year.

David Morton, defending, said: “He says he had been living in the property without hot water or heating for 14 months.”

But judge Nicholas Clarke KC point out this was “not according to the evidence.”

Mr Morton added: “He is quite contrite about it.

“He is quite an interesting character. He is a cabinet maker by profession and has had huge success historically.

“He designed and built and 80ft board room table for Lloyds in London and won an award for it.

“He had quite a fall from grace. He has had tragedies in his personal life.”

The judge said: “He (housing association officer) is simply doing his job and trying to respond to the issues which you have actioned.”

He suspended a sentence of 16 months for two years.

As part of this he ordered him to do 150 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.