A CIRENCESTER man flew into a rage and threatened his mother and sister with a knife after getting upset about losing some important paperwork, a court heard on Friday.

Seamus Ratcliffe, 20, of Querns Lane, Cirencester, admitted a common assault on his sister on July 4.

Gloucester Crown Court was told that Ratcliffe had been sofa surfing at friends’ houses when he returned to the family home on July 4 this year, during which time he misplaced some paperwork.

Prosecutor Janine Wood said: “When his mother came downstairs he accused her of taking his paperwork and he began ranting at her.

“His sister then came to help sort the situation out and told him to grow up. At which point Ratcliffe grabbed a knife and started waving it around in a wild manner and shouting, ‘I’ll stab you’ to both his mother and sister.

“His mother then told Ratcliffe to leave, but within half an hour he was back in the house having gained entry via a window.

"His sister then locked herself in her bedroom and called the police.

“Ratcliffe said in his police interview that the incident was made to sound much worse than it actually was.”

And when his sister’s witness statement was being read out to the court, Ratcliffe became emotional when heard her state she no longer wanted anything more to do with him.

Defending, Joe Maloney said: “Ratcliffe does have mental health issues and is engaging with professionals over his condition.

“He now regrets this incident and states he would not want to hurt anyone. Ratcliffe has little recollection of the incident because of his ongoing mental issues.”

Judge Recorder Paul Dunkels QC told Ratcliffe: “Picking up a knife in the heat of the moment is a very dangerous thing to do, especially as it was your sister.

“Stop picking up knives otherwise something awful is going to happen.”

The judge sentenced Ratcliffe to a 12-month community order which includes 20 rehab activity requirement days, ordered him to pay a fine of £50 and an additional victim surcharge.

The judge also imposed a three-year restraining order on Ratcliffe for him not to contact Ms Darragh.