A MAN who made chilling threats of violence to his elderly grandmother has received a jail term from a judge.

Luke Thompson, 29, was lodging temporarily at Vera Colldrey's Flookburgh home in South Cumbria when his criminal conduct occurred on two separate dates in March.

Both times Thompson demanded money from his 80-year-old relative. On the first occasion he threatened to "snap" the petrified pensioner's fingers.

Ten days later he lost his temper again and said he would "bash" her.

Although there was no physical contact at either time, Thompson pleaded guilty to two charges of common assault.

He was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court when Recorder Jeremy Lasker imposed a six-month jail sentence.

Thompson, now of Vienna Road, Edgeley, Stockport, was said to have already served that term after being remanded in custody in March.

The judge decided against imposing a restraining order after hearing that Mrs Colldrey still wanted to see her grandson. But he told Thompson: "I hope that when you next have contact with your grandmother you will behave in a very different manner."