A man from Swindon has appeared in court on suspicion of carrying a screwdriver which he claims was for self-defence. 

Stephen Porter, 48, of Sommerville Road pleaded not guilty to having an offensive weapon at Swindon Magistrates Court on September 3.

On November 13, 2023, police were called to a block of flats following an altercation between Porter and his neighbour and officers decided there were no offences committed at this time.

However, Porter said he was not pleased the officers had reached that conclusion and while they were trying to encourage him to go back into his flat, he reportedly took a seven-inch screwdriver with a yellow handle from his back pocket and said "I'm going to put that through her f***ing head."

The three officers at the scene recognised he seemed to be struggling with his mental health, but as he was in the communal area of the flat with the potential weapon, he was charged. 

Porter interrupted the prosecution repeatedly calling their account of the incident "lies" and in mitigation his defence, Ms Heard, argued he had the screwdriver in his pocket for self-defence. 

The case was adjourned pending a trial on January 17, 2025 and Porter will be on unconditional bail until the hearing.