PRANKSTER Aaron Morse threatened a friend with a pickaxe handle as a joke.

Magistrates were told the 25-year-old Chippenham man waved the weapon at Garrod Caffrey when he opened his front door.

Magistrates at Chippenham were told Mr Caffrey thought he was going to be attacked.

He pounced on Morse, of Heathfield, and forced him to the ground.

Anna Humphries, prosecuting, told the court: "Morse came in to the house brandishing a pickaxe handle and asking for money.

"Mr Caffrey feared for his safety and that of his girlfriend."

She said Morse shouted: "It's just a joke, I'm just messing around."

Mr Caffrey's girlfriend called the police.

Morse pleaded guilty and was given a 18-month community rehabilitation order and ordered to pay £118 costs.

He told police he had been in the pub with his former girlfriend and they decided to give Mr Caffrey a fright.

Michael Jeary, defending, said Morse regretted what happened.

He said: "This is a case of him not realising the consequences of what he was doing."