A MAN who tried to slash a pub landlord after threatening to burn down his hostelry has been given a chance by a judge who said he had 'discovered how unpleasant prison was' while on remand.

Despite Ben Campbell facing a mandatory six months for the offence of threatening with a blade Recorder Michael Vere-Hodge QC decided not to jail him.

Telling the 21-year-old, who was on a community order at the time, he'd had a taste of custody while on remand, he gave him a nine-month suspended sentence.

Campbell waved a knife at the licensee of The Bear as they argued in the street in Marlborough, having sent a message saying he would torch the pub.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court the defendant's girlfriend Sophie worked at the pub as a cleaner.

On July 25 she had called her bosses to say she would not be in as she was having trouble with Campbell.

Miss Hingston said Iain Watson was aware his wife Liz had received a text from him saying 'Thanks for that, your pub will be burned down. Watch,'

Later in the day the landlord received a message from the defendant saying he was outside, so Mr Watson went out to The Parade to sort things out.

At about 6pm Campbell was in the road by The Lamb pub and started to shout at Mrs Watson, saying 'Why are you bringing Iain?'.

As the men argued Mr Watson saw the defendant had a small kitchen knife in his hand and then swung at him with it.

Shouting for passers by to call the police the landlord managed to block the blow with his arm and insists the knife would have hit him had he not acted.

Campbell, of Isbury Road, Marlborough, pleaded guilty to threatening with a bladed article and threats to cause criminal damage.

Probation officer Jackie Reynolds said he was put on a 12-month community order in December and at the time was deemed a low risk of reoffending.

As a result of the latest matter she said he was now regarded as medium risk. which could still be raised.

She said he had mental health problems including ADHD and was self-medicating with cannabis as he believes it calms him down.

Tony Bignall, defending, said his client, who is signed off work with depression, was facing the prospect of a mandatory six month jail term for the threats with the knife.

He said his current offender manager had said there were concerns about him functioning in a large group, but he could manage in a small one.

Recorder Michael Vere-Hodge QC "You have been remanded in custody, and what a very unpleasant place prison is.

"I have no doubt you have had a good deal of time to work out how you are going to manage your life which doesn't involve you losing your temper and flaring up as you did on this occasion.

"If it were planned and not on the spur of the moment you would be going to prison for a very long time."

He imposed the nine-month jail term suspended for two years with 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.