A MAN wielded a claw hammer and a steak knife in what was described as a “Mexican stand-off” in the car park of a Basingstoke store.

Shoppers were left shocked and hid behind their cars as two men “behaving like hooligans” fought outside B&M, in Worting Road.

Christopher Davis became involved in a fight with Adam Henwood on November 7, 2019, in which the pair were “threatening and intimidating” towards each other.

A judge at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday said that Davis' “behaviour was nothing more than a disgrace” and told him that he needed to grow up.

Prosecutor Ellie Fargin said that Davis ran over to Mr Henwood and pushed him from behind. She continued: “Mr Henwood then had his head hit on the roof of the car. The defendant then leant into the car and pulled Mr Henwood out of it.”

Davis punched the victim and kicked him at least three times while he was on the ground. An eyewitness described Davis standing with a claw hammer.

Ms Fargin said that Davis was seen to “fiddle with his waistband and produced a steak knife about eight inches in length".

The court was told that Mr Henwood went back towards his car and pulled out a baseball bat and at one stage in the fight was throwing compost at Davis and batteries inside the shop. He has not been prosecuted for his actions.

“The witness described this as particularly scary for anyone who had the misfortune to witness it,” Ms Fargin added.

Davis, from Timor Close, Basingstoke, pleaded guilty to one count of affray. The reason for the incident was not explained in court.

The Recorder of Winchester, Judge Angela Morris said that the 35-year-old had completed less than three hours of 200 hours unpaid work he was given for an earlier conviction, which she called “diabolical”.

In mitigation, Davis' barrister Oliver Snodin said: “When he was not complying with these particular orders he was drinking too much, he was using illegal drugs at that point. His motivation has significantly changed.”

Mr Snowden said that Davis has now secured a job as a gate warden with Barratt Homes.

In sentencing Davis, the judge said: “For those people who were going about their legitimate daily business on 7th November at 11.30 in the morning what they saw was you and another individual frankly behaving like hooligans.”

Davis was handed a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years, he must also complete a Thinking Skills Programme and 10 rehabilitation days.