A former soldier who turned up at a couple’s house in Huddersfield armed with a knife and smashed a panel in the front door has been jailed for 12 months.

Leeds Crown Court heard James Bridgewood was angry about a complaint he had caused some damage at a neighbour’s home in the street where his mother lived.

Bashir Ahmed prosecuting told the court Bridgewood went into his mother’s house in Winton Street, Lockwood and picked up a kitchen knife before going to the address involved.

One of the occupants Lorna Connor was upstairs when she saw him approaching and shouted to her partner to shut the front door which was open because an electrician was doing some work fitting a burglar alarm.

Initially he was prevented from doing so because Bridgewood put his foot in the way but eventually managed to close and lock the door.

Mr Ahmed said Bridgewood then began “banging incessantly and kicking at the door.” He then smashed a glass panel in it while shouting: “Get the f..k out here.”

Bridgewood, 31, of Meltham Road, Netherton, admitted affray and possessing a bladed article.

He represented himself and told the court he had served in the army for eight years from 2002 to 2010, including time in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“While there I experienced some events that were traumatic to me. I lost friends and saw some situations.”

He said when he had got back from the last tour he gone on leave and got into trouble which had let to him being dismissed from the army. Since then he had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and was on medication.

“I find it hard to deal with everything going on in my head and that.”

Jailing him Recorder Abdul Iqbal QC said it was to be expected that the couple living at the house, the electrician and any other member of the public who saw him behaving in that way would be scared for their personal safety.

“It seems you felt aggrieved others had pointed the finger at your in respect of a previous incident of criminal damage but this was no way to react.”