A 20-year-old man who threatened to stab a neighbour, hotwired his car and drove erratically around a Thetford estate, was sent to a young-offender institution for two years today.

A 20-year-old man who threatened to stab a neighbour, hotwired his car and drove erratically around a Thetford estate, was sent to a young-offender institution for two years today.

Scott Wilgos, of no fixed abode, admitted affray, dangerous driving, two counts of possessing offensive weapons, criminal damage, taking a car without consent, driving while disqualified and assaulting a police officer on August 5.

Norwich Crown Court heard that Wilgos, who has numerous convictions for car theft and driving while disqualified, had recently been released from detention on licence, when he had an argument with his girlfriend in Ulfkell Road, Thetford.

Lori Tucker, prosecuting, said that when neighbour Harland Sparrow raised concerns about the noise for the sake of his wife and 18-month-old daughter, Wilgos armed himself with two knives and threatened to stab him.

He then punctured four tyres of one car and took Mr Sparrow's Ford Fiesta, driving around the Pine Close Estate at excessive speed and doing handbrake turns and wheel spins. When arrested, Wilgos spat at a police officer.

Neil Guest, in mitigation, said that his client had drunk 10 pints of beer at the time of the offences and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Judge Peter Jacobs said: “You seem to have real difficulty controlling your temper. You are a young man with problems intent to make others share your problems.”