86c85608b0fc936c5bcc4441b9d3a0b5e5e92794

A neighbour from hell threatened to slice a baby in half during a row with a family. Paul Foster, 39, made the disturbing threats to the neighbouring family at the block of flats where they lived. The court heard there was bad blood between the defendant and a couple he lived near who had a young child.

Prosecutor Lucia Cavaliere said that after a minor physical scuffle, Foster told the mum: "I'm going to slice your baby in half."

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Police were called, and the defendant was arrested. As Foster was being taken into custody, he said the father had been "intimidating me for months."

He told police: "One day, I'm going to smash him in the face - I'm going to decapitate him."

Foster added: "Just wait until I'm released - I'm going to go on a killing spree. I'm going to chop his head off."

In a victim impact statement, the female victim said: "He threatened to smash my partner's brains out of his head. I've felt very tense and nervous since the incident, and I haven't been able to sleep.

"I do believe he would carry out these threats."

Cardiff Crown Court heard Foster was serving a suspended prison sentence for threats to kill, religiously aggravated harassment/alarm/distress by words/writing/behaviour and criminal damage at the time of the offences.

Jac Brown, defending, said: "The defendant has deep-seated mental health issues.

"He suffers from anxiety and paranoia, which are exacerbated by his alcohol use.

"The defendant has become isolated in his personal life."

Judge Christopher Felstead told the defendant he had made "nasty and unpleasant threats".

Foster was jailed for 17 months and made the subject of five-year restraining orders.