A teenager threatened to kill a neighbour and his whole family after a dispute over a missing child's garden swing, a court heard.

Jason Finch, 19, was sent to a young offenders' institution for a year yesterday after he admitted making threats to kill lorry driver Kevin Ruff.

Oxford Crown Court heard Mr Ruff was moving to a bungalow in Valentia Close, Bletchingdon, with his disabled wife and thought neighbour Finch had stolen a swing from the garden.

Clare Tucker, prosecuting, told the court Mr Ruff knocked on Finch's door. The defendant then threatened to kill him, while thrusting his Jack Russell dog in Mr Ruff's face.

Finch put the dog down, then grabbed a samurai sword with a 4ft blade.

Miss Tucker said: "The defendant started walking towards him waving the sword in a figure of eight shouting 'I'm going to kill you and your family'."

The sword passed within eight inches of Mr Ruff's face. Finch then lunged the sword at his head, but Mr Ruff blocked it.

Terence Woods, defending, said Finch, now of Nizewell Head, Steeple Aston, said Mr Ruff's version of events was exaggerated.