A CHILD was left petrified after a man battling alcoholism threatened his father with a dog chain and a barrage of vile abuse at their doorstep, an Island court was told.

Darren Hussey was working from home when his partner and their two children heard Adam James Thompson shouting and swearing outside their flat in Hookes Way, Newport, on September 19.

Thompson, their neighbour, stood on their shared balcony calling Mr Hussey vile names and remonstrating repeatedly about why he had ignored him in a supermarket, said Ann Smout, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Mr Hussey, who had no idea what Thompson was talking about, then saw him produce a heavy duty dog chain, which he then let part of hang down as a threat of violence, the bench heard.

He also raised his fists at Mr Hussey as the abuse continued.

Mr Hussey told the police his seven-year-old son, who saw and heard everything that went on, was 'petrified'.

He added he was disgusted by 40-year-old Thompson's behaviour and he was worried at what he may have done.

When arrested, Thompson, who admitted possessing an offensive weapon and common assault, told the police he only used the chain to try to scare Mr Hussey, not assault him.

"Mr Hussey was understandably alarmed — as was his young son, who was very scared at the time," Mrs Smout told the bench.

For Thompson, James Cameron said his client had been struggling with alcoholism, self-harming and anxiety for some time and he got annoyed Mr Hussey did not acknowledge him in the supermarket.

"It didn't warrant, which he accepts, wrapping a chain around his hand and producing it in a threatening manner. He recognises he didn't deal with things very well and is sorry he upset the boy," said Mr Cameron.

Also speaking on Thompson's behalf, psychotherapist Veronica Taylor explained had he not been drinking that day, the incident would not have happened.

"He is an honourable and good man, but an absolute disaster when he has been drinking. He is very sorry it happened," she said.

Magistrates handed Thompson a one year probation order, with an £80 fine, £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.