A son armed with a knife said he would slit his father's throat if he did not take him to Great Yarmouth after threatening to kill his mother's new partner.

Kyle Whittemore, 22, who has mental health problems had been drinking and taken drugs earlier that evening, when he became upset over a text message, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Andrew Thompson, prosecuting, said Whittemore armed himself with two knives from the kitchen and forced his father, who is a driving instructor, to take him to Great Yarmouth in the car, he normally uses for teaching learner drivers.

Mr Thomspon said after Whittemore got out of the vehicle armed with one of the knives, his father contacted police, who were quickly on the scene and managed to arrest Whittemore.

He said that Whittemore's father did not want to make any victim impact statement.

Whittemore of no fixed address, admitted making threats to kill, possession of a knife and kidnap in January this year and was jailed for 32 months.

Jailing him, Judge Anthony Bate said that drink and drugs combined with not taking medication for his mental health problems was a 'recipe' for his offending.

He said: 'It was a very worrying incident.'

He said Whittemore had forced his father to use his driving instructor car, usually used for lessons for learner drivers, to take him to Great Yarmouth.

He said fortunately his father was able to raise the alarm but said: 'It could have so easily ended much worse for others.'

Judge Bate said that when he took his medication, Whittemore was a decent young man but said that he posed a high risk of serious harm to members of his family.

He recommended that Whittemore took advantage of help offered to him and said: ' I recommend careful attention is given to his licence on his release to make sure he gets the support he needs.'

Rob Pollington, for Whittemore, said he felt 'shame and embarrassment' over his behaviour.

'He fully appreciates the consequences of his actions.'

He said that Whittemore was motivated to change his behaviour in the future and although he had not been in contact with his father since his arrest he hoped that he would again in the future.