A man who banged on his cousin’s front door with a hatchet has admitted threatening behaviour and possessing an offensive weapon.

Martin James Kelly had been drinking before the incident and said that there had been a history of bad feeling between the two men.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that there had been ill feelings between the two relatives for some time before the incident.

On September 19, 40-year-old Kelly went to his cousin’s Spring Valley Road address in Douglas.

He was carrying a hatchet with him and admitted later that he had been drinking.

Kelly, who lives at The Threshold in Jurby, then knocked on the door using the back of the hatchet but no-one came out.

He was said to have been shouting and swearing.

Mr Swain submitted that the case was suitable for summary court sentencing.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode entered a basis of plea for his client, in which Kelly said he could not recall where he acquired the hatchet due to his drinking.

He accepted he had no reasonable excuse to be carrying but said that he had not intended to cause any harm.

Kelly said that he did not go into the house, and no-one came out, but admitted that he had been shouting and swearing.

Mr Kermode asked for a probation report and a psychiatric report to be prepared before sentencing.

Magistrates accepted summary court jurisdiction and adjourned sentencing until December 1.

Bail continues with a condition to contact probation and co-operate in the preparation of the report.