A SOUTHAMPTON man has been barred from returning to the homes of his mother and sister in a city tower block for three years following a late night knife-related drama.

The incident began after Dean O’Dell went to Millbrook Towers, pictured, at 11.30pm after mixing drink and medication. He was shouting and swearing so loudly that his mother, Karen Ivory, asked him to come into her ninth-floor flat where he blamed her for the death of his elder brother Daniel.

Prosecutor Kerry Maylin said that as he became increasingly agitated, his sister Samantha sought the help of a neighbour and O’Dell walked towards them in the doorway clutching a raised knife in each hand.

They managed to leave the flat and locked him inside where he was shouting he was going to kill and stab them.

His sister called the police and when they arrived, one officer looked through the letterbox and saw him with the knives still in his hands and clearly agitated.

Eventually they encouraged him to put four kitchen knives through the letter box before arresting him.

O’Dell, 25, of no fixed address, admitted affray.

Said to have 31 previous convictions starting in 2000, O’Dell was jailed for 16 months.

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Henry said they included offences of violence, threat of violence and public disturbance. “The use of a knife is potentially lethal.”

In mitigation, Jamie Gammon said O’Dell had looked up to his brother and his death had had a severe impact on him.

“Although words were said, he didn’t use the knife and he says he would not have used it in anger. He had been supporting his mother and sister through his wages trying to fulfil the role of the man about the house but he felt he didn’t get enough support in return.”