A TOPLESS drunk man threatened police with a sword, forcing them to call in armed officers.

Ricky Johnson, of Wells Road, Ronkswood, Worcester, admitted affray when he appeared before magistrates court in Worcester on Thursday.

The court heard how the 25-year-old's mum called police after the two had a row at around 1am on August 20. However, when they arrived a topless Johnson refused to open the door and switched off the lights.

Kriss Ewing, prosecuting, said: "They formed the opinion he was drunk or under the influence of drugs based on his demeanour, slurred speech and dilated pupils."

Johnson also told officers there were two Alsatian dogs in the house and implied they would attack officers, Ms Ewing told the court.

She added: "He picked up a silver sword with a black handle and was hanging out of the window, waving the sword around and threatening officers. He said 'if you come in here this is what you will get'."

Officers were so concerned they activated their emergency buttons and firearms officers were deployed. When firearms officers arrived he continued to threaten police and was observed throwing the sword across the living room.

He was arrested in a neighbour's garden and threatened he would assault the officers when they were off-duty, the court was told.

Johnson has previous convictions for public order offences. His last conviction was assault occasioning actual bodily harm on August 3 this year for which he was handed a community order.

Mark Sheward, defending, said: "Essentially this was a man who was in his house. Officers were outside the house, well away from him. There wasn't a fight. There wasn't any contact between him and the officers at all.

"There was a sword in the house, not his. He's picked that up and waved it around. He's not gone after them or chased them. Since this incident he has not had a drink at all and feels the better for it."

Mr Sheward said his client, who suffered from severe depression, self-medicated with alcohol. By the time police arrived Johnson had stopped arguing with his mother and Mr Sheward refuted the officer's account that when he left the house he had placed something down his trousers.

"There was nothing on him when he was searched by the officers" Mr Sheward said.

He added: "He's never used drugs in his life apart from alcohol. His stupidity has brought him to the court today."

Magistrates handed him a 12 month community order and ordered him to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, pay £185 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

They ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the sword which belonged to the defendant's brother.