A man repeatedly harassed his former boss at a hairdressers in Bolton after being dismissed from his role.

Mayzar Fattah returned to Hair Masters on Bury Road to threaten Mohammed Saddiq.

He had been given a job there previously but after Covid lockdowns his work deteriorated and he was dismissed from the role.

Bolton Crown Court heard on April 20 this year Fattah turned up and tried to cut a customer’s hair.

He was asked to leave but then threw stones and was given food by Mr Saddiq before leaving.

The next day he came back and asked for a haircut and was abusive to staff.

Police had to remove him on that occasion.

He came back for a third day and was arrested and granted bail.

On May 15 he returned and began shouting “no comment” repeatedly took a pair of scissors and pointed them at Mr Saddiq before making threats with a razor blade.

He said voices inside his head were telling him to hit him.

Police arrived and found Mr Saddiq in a state of shock.

Fattah came back for the last time three days later and made threats to kill Mr Saddiq before being arrested again.

David James, prosecuting, read out victim personal statements from Mr Saddiq.

He said: “He states he was scared of the defendant’s behaviour towards him, he doesn’t want him in the shop, he wants him to stay away

“He noted the change in the quality of his work after the covid lockdowns.

“Mr Saddiq suggests it is the defendant’s use of cannabis that may have caused a changed in his behaviour”.

The 20-year-old admitted putting Mr Saddiq in fear of violence through harassment between April and May this year and appeared in court to be sentenced.

The court heard he likely suffers from schizoaffective disorder.

Robert Smith, defending, said he had been remanded for six months and so would only likely serve a short prison sentence if sent to custody.

He added: “Mr Saddiq very fairly despite what he was subject to accepts the issues with mental health of the defendant and the fact that he needs help.”

Judge Tom Gilbart said: “This was very unpleasant offending.

“This was a man who had sought to help you.

“It would normally be met with an immediate custodial sentence.

“But given your time in custody, your previous guilty plea, your personal mitigation and your  guilty plea you would serve little of any custodial sentence imposed today.”

He imposed a community order to run for two years with a non-residential mental health treatment requirement and ordered Fattah, from Archer Grove, Bolton, to attend at 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He also banned him from contacting his former employer or going within 100 metres of the workplace for ten years.