A man who left a High Court bailiff with a cut face after pulling a knife has been warned he could be jailed. (From This Is Wiltshire)

A man who left a High Court bailiff with a cut face after pulling a knife has been warned he could be jailed.

Gary Burgess produced the kitchen knife after the enforcement officer came to his Southwick house on April 11.

And as the 55-year-old waved the blade at former soldier Robert Marshall, he cut his cheek.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that Mr Marshall had gone to the address to seize items of property.

When he arrived, Burgess – who also uses the surname Knight – was there with his 19-year-old step-son Dom-inic, who has Asperger’s syndrome, she said.

The bailiff said Burgess had been “confrontational” and claimed to be someone else. As the disagreement continued, the pair exchanged blows and punches went in both directions.

She added that Mr Marshall went to another room to escape, only to be confronted by Burgess with a knife held at waist height in his left hand.

The bailiff alleged Burgess lunged at his body in a stabbing motion, cutting his jacket when the blade was thrust at his abdomen.

He said the householder then went for his face and he turned his head as the blade came towards him, before feeling it nick his right cheek.

Miss Hingston said the bailiff managed to escape and dialled 999 from outside.

She said the attack had not been seen by the teenager, who was in another room, and Burgess initially denied it had taken place.

However, Dominic had seen him with the knife, she said, and told police Burgess said, ‘Don’t worry, I am not going to use the knife, I am just going to use it to get him out of the house’.

When DNA evidence from the weapon matched the victim, he accepted he used it.

Burgess, of Hoopers Pool, admitted a charge of causing actual bodily harm.

Paul Grumbar, defending, said his client pleaded guilty on the basis that he waved the knife to scare his visitor, but nicked him with it.

He pointed out that the victim was a 16-and-a-half stone former soldier.

Judge Euan Ambrose adjourned the case until October 26, for a pre-sentence report to be compiled.

He said: “Custody is very much open to the sentencing tribunal; you should prepare yourself for that.”

Burgess was told he could visit Dubai to see his wife, as he had bought the tickets.