A knife-wielding pensioner who threatened to kill a neighbour who annoyed him has been bound over to keep the peace.

John Gould, 73, of Montague Street, Brighton, who suffers from ill health, brandished a 10in fishing knife at Marc Geall in a block of flats where both men live.

Bridget Norfolk, prosecuting, told Brighton Magistrates' Court that Gould pointed the knife towards Mr Geall and told him he was going to kill him.

Mr Geall was petrified and got back into the lift.

When police called at his flat, Gould denied any attempt to carry out the threat. He told officers he was fed up with Mr Geall making noises and being rude.

Gould, who has no previous convictions, was bound over in the sum of £100 to keep the peace for 12 months.

At an earlier hearing he had denied charges of threatening behaviour, possessing an offensive weapon and making threats to kill.

The charges were withdrawn but he admitted committing a breach of the peace.

Joe Harrington, defending, said Mr Gould regretted his actions. He said: "The victim is unpopular in the flats."