AN ELLESMERE PORT father who received a threatening phone call from his son went out to confront him.

But George Beck, 63, of Fulwood Mews, Little Sutton, made the decision to go armed with a hammer on June 29, 2018.

After he pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon, Beck was sentenced at Chester Magistrates Court on Monday, January 7 to a 14-week curfew.

Prosecuting, Rob Youds told the court Beck said there was a bit of a scuffle between Beck and his son, where the hammer was knocked to the floor, but no assault charges were brought forward.

Beck had no previous convictions.

Defending, Stephen Ferns said Beck realised he should have gone about matters in a different way.

He was quite close to his son and believed his son was heavily intoxicated at the time he made the phone call.

A pre-sentence report heard Beck had an operation to treat varicose veins on his leg which meant he was not suitable for unpaid work, but suitable for a curfew.

District Judge Nicholas Sanders, sentencing, said: "You do not arm yourself with weapons under any circumstances. I understand why you thought it was a good idea, but it was not."

The curfew runs from 6pm-6am and Beck will be electronically monitored at his home address for the 14 weeks, less the time for two pre-booked weekend holidays.

He must also pay £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.