THE owner of an Ellesmere Port restaurant brandished a large metal sword in front of bailiffs who had come to his home address to collect a debt.

Mohammed Haque, 56, of Woodacre Road, Ellesmere Port, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, April 5 to resisting an enforcement officer.

Haque also admitted a charge of common assault, but defence solicitor Tony Nelson said there was no physical contact between Haque and bailiff Oliver Saynor.

Prosecuting, Alan Currums said it was just after 6am on March 8 when two enforcement officers arrived at Haque's home address to collect a debt, following a writ issued from the High Court.

Haque, owner of the Saffron Indian restaurant on Whitby Road, identified himself and invited one of the officers in, saying he could not pay that debt at that time.

The second officer entered the home and that appeared to upset Haque, Mr Currums told the court, as he became aggressive and verbally abused the men, calling them "germs", "maggots", "w***ers" and "c***s".

Haque then took a large metal sword that was on display and moved towards them, saying: "Get out."

Haque was reminded he was being shown on body-worn cameras, and Haque said: "Don't blame me if you get shot or stabbed."

This concerned victim Mr Saynor and police arrived at the address at 7.05am to arrest Haque.

When interviewed, Haque accepted he was aggressive and lost his temper. He admitted holding a sword but denied threatening the officers.

He had no previous convictions at the time of this offence but had since been fined for an assault committed at the Saffron restaurant.

Defending, Mr Nelson said it was "a very unfortunate set of circumstances".

Haque was a family man with a wife and children and the debt owed was £2,464.47 to a legal firm.

He became upset as he could not pay the sum but tried to explain to the enforcement officers who arrived at 6am he wanted to enter into a payment plan. However, there was no way the solicitor at the legal firm could take instructions at that time of day.

Mr Nelson said the bailiffs were big men and Haque was 5ft 1in and 8.5 stone and when the bailiffs started going upstairs to where Haque's family were sleeping, Haque picked up the sword.

He did not intend to hit them and was very remorseful and apologetic about the incident.

The £2,464.47 debt had now grown to £5,715.47 and bailiffs had taken two cars and 15 watches belonging to the family, while the debt was growing at £75 a day as the items were in storage.

The assault at the Saffron restaurant, Mr Nelson said, had been a result of severe provocation by youths over many months and even involved youths throwing stones while people were eating at the restaurant, leading Haque to slap one of them on the back of the head.

For that offence he was given a financial penalty.

Haque was very distressed and ashamed to be in court and was deeply apologetic, Mr Nelson concluded.

Chair of magistrates Caroline Young told Haque: "There is no taking away that this is a very undesirable offence. You did not use the sword but you brandished it around.

"These bailiffs were doing their job, executing their duty."

Haque was fined £300 and ordered to pay £50 compensation to Oliver Saynor, plus £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.