A Corsham pensioner brandished a meat cleaver in a row over alcohol and cut a visitor with a kitchen knife, a court heard.

David Johnson, 69, prodded his victim with the knife, causing a wound, and damaged property at the house where he was staying.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court on Friday that violence flared on Monday, February 24.

She said Johnson lived at the home of Ian Buchanan White 'out of his largesse', and both have a history of alcoholism.

Ms Marlow said visitor Gerald Smith would bring shopping to the house and Johnson was upset that it included alcohol.

On the day of the offences he came out of the kitchen with the cleaver and confronted the visitor, throwing a cup at him.

Johnson then produced the large knife which he 'poked' Mr Smith with causing a one-and-a-quarter inch wound.

Johnson, of Penleigh Close, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage. He had been cautioned for a public order offence in 2012.

Judge Tim Mousley QC imposed a six-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work.