A THUG who chased television licence officials from his home with a baseball bat has been given a chance to address his anger problems.

Bolton Crown Court heard how 26-year-old Christopher Coulson flew into a rage when enforcement officers called at his West Avenue, Farnworth home at 7.30am on April 20.

As his partner, Sarah Leatherbarrow, stood talking to David Smyth and Christian Platt on the doorstep about the non-payment of a television licence, Coulson flew down the stairs in his boxer shorts and vest.

Nicholas Clarke, prosecuting, told the court how he swore at Mr Smyth and his colleague, who was a trainee on his first day in the job, and slammed the door.

He then opened the door again, punched Mr Smyth in the face and grabbed a baseball bat, accidentally hitting Ms Leatherbarrow with it in the process, and chased the two men.

Mr Smyth and Mr Platt fled down the street and when Coulson went back into the house, they called police.

But Mr Clarke told how Coulson then dressed himself in a hoodie and managed to sneak up behind the officers with the bat, chasing them again and then smashing up Mr Smyth's VW Golf.

Coulson later handed himself into police.

In a victim impact statement Mr Smyth, who is self-employed, told how he had been unable to work whilst his vehicle was repaired and Mr Platt revealed he is reconsidering his career choice.

Coulson pleaded guilty to two counts of assault, criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon.

Martin Pizzey, defending, said Coulson had been tired after working the previous day.

"He tells me his behaviour was impulsive," he said.

He added that the father-of-one, who also cares for his partner's older three children, has worked hard all his life at a number of jobs and is now a bakery worker for Park Cakes.

He accepted that a jail sentence for the attack on the enforcement officers would be justified.

"He wouldn't see it as inappropriate or undeserving - he knows he must be punished," said Mr Pizzey.

The Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Timothy Clayson, commented that that Coulson has previously served a prison sentence for similar behaviour and stressed the effect of the latest attack on the victims.

"Being confronted by you behaving like that must have been terrifying," said Judge Clayson.

"You do have considerable anger management issues and an entrenched anti-authority attitude. You need to show proper respect for other people."

Coulson was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months and must undertake 140 hours unpaid work.

He was also told he must participate in 30 days of rehabilitation activities focused on anger management and respecting other people.