A NIGHTMARE neighbour who threatened a 42-year-old with spanner amid a tirade of racist abuse has been jailed.

Minshull Street Crown Court heard the victim, who lives in the same block of flats as Romano Degisi, had suffered problems with the 35-year-old for years.

Loud music from his flat and constant shouting were just two of the problems associated with Degisi's tenancy, the court heard.

Prosecutor Phillip Hall said the defendant was know to the victim's mother, as the pair worked together.

On returning home on August 31, she heard Degisi shouting at her, the court heard.

He apparently blamed his neighbour for complaining to his mother about the loud music coming from his flat, Mr Hall said.

Degisi continued to shout for a number of hours when the victim decided to ring his mother at work, the court was told, but she could not be reached initially.

And when his mother was contacted, and rang him, this appeared to have no effect on his conduct.

Mr Hall said the victim then decided she would leave her home but when she stepped out, Degisi ran at her, armed with a large spanner and a padlock.

The court heard he shouted at her: "I am going to kill you, you little black b**ch".

Mr Hall said she ran to her car and alerted the police.

Degisi returned to his flat, and started hanging out of his window, and throwing bottles to the ground below, where children were playing, the court heard.

Police arrived later and arrested the defendant, who was found to be very drunk.

Degisi, of Topping Fold Road, Bury, pleaded guilty at court to using threatening behaviour with an offensive weapon.

Jailing Degisi for 16 months, Judge John Edwards told him: "This was a despicable piece of behaviour."

The judge noted that Degisi had been sentenced for similar conduct 10 months ago.

Judge Edwards also imposed a five-year restraining order.