Ryan Lewis also wielded a piece of wood with nails in it and warned: 'The whole of Swansea will know my name'

A man who became angry over a noise complaint made about him by a neighbour threatened to kill the person responsible whilst wielding a weapon.

Swansea Crown Court heard how Ryan Lewis learned that he was to be fined after a neighbour, who lived within a shared housing building at Swansea's Penmaen Terrace, run by Coastal Housing, lodged a complaint over noise coming from his property.

On August 15 earlier this year, at around 2.40pm, Lewis, aged 18, spotted one of his neighbours, Pawel Orszulak, outside washing his car. He stood near his neighbour and told him he was being reported and was going to be fined. He called him a 'snitch' and demanded to know whether he was the one who reported him to the housing association, whilst threatening to "get his friends to beat him up."

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Mr Orszulak noticed Lewis was holding a piece of wood with nails sticking out of it, and went into his property for his own safety. But he then realised he left his car open and had to return outside where Lewis was still standing.

When he returned, Lewis waved the piece of wood towards Mr Orszulak, and said: "If I find out you or any of the other neighbours reported me I will kill you all. The whole of Swansea will remember my name."

Lewis was later arrested at his property following the incident, and a wooden item matching the description given to police was discovered. During interview with officers he told them that he was angry about being reported, and claimed that the piece of wood was part of a broken door which he was using as a walking aid. He admitted he waved it towards his Mr Orszulak but said he did not intend it to look aggressive.

A victim personal statement read out on behalf of Mr Orszulak by prosecutor Dean Pulling, heard how he and his girlfriend had been left with "considerable anxiety" following the incident and were "scared to leave the house" after it.

Lewis, of no fixed abode, appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing having pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and using threatening or abusive words or behaviour.

Mitigating, his solicitor, Howell Davies said: "At the time of the incident his medication was being adjusted and parts were not being taken properly. This is a very troubled young man who from a young age has been known to the local authority."

Recorder David Payne sentenced Lewis to seven months detention, and told him he must pay £187 victim surcharge. A forfeiture and destruction order has been made for the piece of wood with nails in it.