A MAN from Kinmel Bay threatened an 11-year-old child with a hammer and told them he would “f***ing kill” them.

Christopher Bridge arrived at a children’s party in Prestatyn seeking the child.

Bridge, 32, of Green Avenue, Kinmel Bay, was sentenced for two years, suspended for the same time period, at Mold Crown Court today (November 4).

He had previously admitted affray, possession of an offensive weapon, and criminal damage.

Prosecutor Laura Knightly told the court that, at about 6.30pm on April 17, Bridge arrived at the property in Prestatyn shouting that he wanted to see the child “f***ing now”.

The child was in the address, but Bridge was told by an adult that they weren’t.

But when the child came to the door, Bridge told them he “knew where they lived”, tried to grab them, and pulled out the hammer.

He then swung the hammer at a woman present at the scene, who moved out of the way.

When the front door was closed on him, he then hit the door with the hammer twice.

Footage captured from the Ring doorbell on the front door was played in court during today’s sentencing.

Police were called and attended, but Bridge had already left the scene by the time officers arrived.

He handed himself in to custody on April 22, but gave no comment during his police interview.

Ms Knightly said Bridge “appeared to smirk and shake his head through the interview in disagreement”.

Two women who were at the property at the time both stressed how nervous Bridge’s actions have made them feel – one of them described him as “not humane”.

Defending Bridge, who had one previous conviction, Brett Williamson said his client has lived a “relatively blameless life” and has “not come before the courts often”.

Testimonies made on his behalf were sent to the court from his uncle and mother, while Bridge was said to have quit cocaine roughly half a year ago.

Mr Williamson stressed that, while Bridge “undoubtedly caused serious fear of violence”, there was ultimately “no physical violence” used in this case.

Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry condemned Bridge’s “shameful, cowardly, bullying behaviour”.

Judge Parry also told Bridge to take his hands out of pockets during his sentencing remarks.

He said: “The evidence that we’ve seen on video is of a frightening incident, when young children would obviously have been terrified.”

But Judge Parry agreed to suspend Bridge’s sentence on the basis that he had acted “clearly out of character”.

Bridge will also complete 250 hours’ unpaid work and 15 sessions of rehabilitation activity, and is to pay £750 in compensation.

A three-year restraining order was put in place to protect the owner of the Prestatyn property which he attended.