An axe-wielding grandfather 'scared the living daylights' out of a driver when he threatened him during a road rage incident. 

Wieslaw Szubryt grabbed the weapon out of his car and walked towards Matt Barnes after a near miss outside Lidl in Shirley. 

Southampton Crown Court heard how Mr Barnes had been leaving the store in his car when Szubryt tried to cut the corner in his vehicle - causing Mr Barnes to slam on his brakes. 

Mr Barnes got out of his car and approached the other vehicle before the 60-year-old parked up and also got out. 

Szubryt grabbed the axe and began walking towards his victim, raising it "threateningly" before turning and walking off down the high street. 

READ MORE: Hampshire boxer spat in woman's face and tried to rape her

A 'petrified' Mr Barnes then followed, calling the police as he walked along. 

Szubryt, of Welland Green, Southampton was arrested but denied wrongdoing. He later pleaded guilty at his trial to threatening another with a bladed article. 

Sentencing on Tuesday, Judge Robert Hill Assistant Judge Advocate General said this was 'frankly a very petty incident'. 

"Your response was violent, it was pathetic. You scared the living daylights out of him by having that axe. It affected him quite badly.

"I am afraid that in my judgement anyone that threatened with an axe in the circumstances like this in a public place when children are around can expect a custodial sentence." 

He added that Szubryt demonstrates "disturbing behaviour towards other people whenever your temper gets the better of you." 

READ MORE: Totton abuse victim speaks out as attacker released early

In a victim statement read out by prosecutor Nicola Sully, Mr Barnes said he now feels "unsafe and uncomfortable with where he lives" and plans to move as a result. 

"When the defendant got out his axe and was brandishing it I was hit by adrenaline and was scared he was going to throw the axe at me.

"After the incident, I felt unsafe going to Lidls or the road near where it happened for a number of weeks afterwards."

Szubryt was handed a 13-month sentence suspended for two years. 

He must complete 18 rehabilitation activity requirement days. 

Amber Athill, mitigating, said her client "has been punished" and "has learned his lesson".

"This matter has been ongoing for some two years", she added.

"At the time of this offence took place [his wife] was suffering with breast cancer. He was therefore extremely tired, extremely distressed."