A man faces Crown Court after threatening to blow a council worker’s head off.

William Young, of Fernside Court, Almondbury, admitted sending a menacing message by a public communications network.

The 65-year-old had called the worker at Huddersfield Civic Centre 1 to complain about his leaking washing machine.

Young is already on a suspended sentence order after threatening store staff with a knife earlier this year.

Kirklees magistrates heard that the offence happened on June 30 at the Kirklees Council building on High Street.

They were told that Young has a problem with alcohol as well as learning difficulties and mental health issues.

He has assistance from the council in managing his finances.

Young called the centre and was put through to finance assistant Jenny Dyson.

Elizabeth Wright, prosecuting, said: “He was talking about his washing machine which was leaking and she was trying to get to the bottom of the problem.

“He gets very agitated and shouts at her and is abusive.

“He said he wants to talk to the team manager rather than her and she says she can’t do that.

“He shouts at her: ‘I’m going to get a shotgun, I’ll wait for you after work outside and blow your head off.’”

Miss Wright said that Ms Dyson felt shaken and frightened by Young’s phone call.

She said his behaviour was unpredictable and believed Young would know her if he saw her.

Magistrates heard about a previous incident in which he waved a kitchen knife at workers at the One Stop Shop in Almondbury.

In May a crown court judge sentenced him to an eight month jail term suspended for 18 months.

Andy Day, mitigating, said that his client’s mood had been erratic due to his new medication.

He explained that the council has management of his finances and he had needed some money.

Mr Day said: “Everything was done properly but Mr Young became very frustrated down the telephone because he didn’t understand the situation of how things were working.

“He’s sorry for saying these things.

“He has no access to any shotgun, he wouldn’t use one and didn’t intend to shock the lady.”

Magistrates heard that Young has a six-month exclusion from entering the council building and now has specific telephone numbers to ring.

They sent him to Leeds Crown Court for sentencing on August 12.

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