A driver of a road sweeper armed himself with a meat cleaver before jumping from his cab and threatening another motorist, a court has heard.

A driver of a road sweeper armed himself with a meat cleaver before jumping from his cab and threatening another motorist, a court has heard.

John Dye, 64, brandished the cleaver and jumped on the bonnet of Duncan Gooch's car after they stopped on a narrow road at Sizewell, in north Suffolk.

Colette Griffiths, prosecuting, told Lowestoft Magistrates' Court yesterday how Mr Gooch pulled over after seeing the road sweeper coming in the opposite direction.

He thought both vehicles would be able to pass if they slowed down, but Dye failed to do this, said Mrs Griffiths. Dye then swore at Mr Gooch and told him to move out of his way.

“Mr Gooch asked him why he didn't stop. At that stage Mr Dye jumped out of the sweeper brandishing a meat cleaver and held it above his head in a threatening manner,” added Mrs Griffiths.

“Mr Gooch felt frightened and in fear. He got back into his car and locked himself in. Mr Dye then got on to the bonnet of Mr Gooch's car and he reversed causing Mr Dye to fall…”

Dye, of Cherrytree Road, Great Cornard, Suffolk, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon on May 20. Magistrates adjourned the case and told Dye he would be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on a future date.

Dye represented himself in court, but did not make any comment about the offence during yesterday's hearing.

It was not stated who employed him to drive the road sweeper, but after the case Suffolk Coastal District Council and Suffolk County Council said he was not working for them.