AN ALCOHOLIC who threatened his housemate with a kitchen knife and had an imitation handgun in his car has avoided jail.

Grant Adams, of Pinnocks Way, Oxford, admitted carrying out the crimes after his life “went into freefall” as a result of his drinking problem.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm and shoplifting two joints of meat from the Co-op in Botley, on January 12 this year.

Meryl Hughes, prosecuting, said staff from the shop saw Adams take the meat and when they followed him to his car they saw the air pistol on his seat.

She said he also admitted an affray at his home address when he pointed a large kitchen knife at his housemate Darren Claypole and told him: “I’ll cut you up and stab you in your face.”

Jeannie Mackie, defending, said the pair were staying at a half-way house for people who had become homeless or been released from prison.

She added that Grant had worked in IT and had a family but “his life went into freefall, mainly because of drinking”.

Miss Mackie said: “He had split from his wife, there were custody battles over his children, difficulties with his parents, and he started drinking much more and taking drugs.”

Judge Mary Jane Mowat said she could see Adams had made progress since his offences and gave him a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with 12-months of supervision and an alcohol treatment requirement.