A children's Hallowe'en party turned to real horror when thugs turned up, one masked and wielding an axe.

He swung the blade at a decoration ghost on a fence at a park in Mackie Avenue, Patcham, Brighton, just feet from where infants were enjoying the festivities.

Some of the 50 children burst into tears and adults were terrified, Brighton magistrates heard yesterday.

Parents confronted the youth and trouble flared when his friend tried to join him.

Jobless Benjamin Adsett, swearing and shouting, was stopped by off-duty police inspector Steve Curry, who helped organise the charity event. Mr Curry said he feared for people's safety. He told Adsett to leave but it had no effect.

Adsett was arrested but he pleaded not guilty to threatening behaviour.

Giving evidence, Adsett said he drank three or four pints of beer that night but was not drunk.

He admitted being abusive but said his unnamed friend, who was not traced, was being threatened and he wanted to help defend him.

Adsett, formerly of Old London Road, Patcham, and living in Cornwall, was found guilty and given a conditional discharge for two years. He was ordered to pay £290 costs.