A FATHER-of-one who threatened his ex-girlfriend's brother with a hammer has been given a suspended prison sentence and a restraining order.

Robert Jack, aged 34, had “difficulty” accepting that the relationship was over between him and Anna Norman, Worcester Crown Court heard, and on February 18 an argument broke out between them.

She then went to her brother's house only to find Jack there, and a further argument continued which resulted in her returning the Christmas presents he had given her and their daughter.

Jack then started making threats towards Miss Norman's brother Adam, and whipped out a hammer which he waved in his direction.

When he was arrested, police also found a pair of three-inch-long scissors in his pocket.

Jack had pleaded guilty on a previous occasion to charges of affray and having a bladed item in public, on the basis that he had put the scissors in his pocket and forgotten about them.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC said he would impose a five-year restraining order banning Jack from going within 100 metres of Miss Norman's home in Exhall Close, Redditch.

He said Jack, of Lodge Road, Smallwood, Redditch, had shown a “fixed attitude” towards the relationship which was worrying.

"I'm concerned about Miss Norman, and the child, as we all know what impact this can have on them," he said.

"There is no suggestion by her that she wants to resume her relationship with the defendant, but the pre-sentence report clearly suggests that is the defendant's intention."

The restraining order will not mean Jack cannot contact Miss Norman, the judge added, but would just give her "a place of safety" away from him.

He handed Jack a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with a community order including supervision and a place on a 'building better relationships' programme.