A MAN 'lost his head' when he tried to intimidate a witness into withdrawing a statement in a bid to get his brother released from jail.

Kyle Saunders, aged 20, of Woodmancote, Worcester, admitted a single count of intimidation when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Friday.

The court heard that Saunder's brother, Aaron Saunders, had been arrested as part of an investigation into 'cuckooing', a term used to describe dealers setting up shop in someone else's home.

Aaron Saunders had been on licence and recalled to prison to serve part of an outstanding sentence, the court was told.

Lewis Humphries had been at home alone in Tunnel Hill, Worcester on July 6 and 7 this year while his father was in hospital when Kyle Saunders attended his home.

On July 6 at 2am Saunders came around to Mr Humphries's flat, 'kicking the door and throwing stones'.

However, Paul Whitfield, prosecuting, said Saunders had not been charged with anything in relation to this first incident, referring to it as 'relevant background' to what followed.

Saunders attended the flat on July 7 which was captured on a neighbour's CCTV.

Paul Whitfield, prosecuting, said Saunder's demeanour had initially was 'open' and 'not aggressive'.

He said: "The neighbour who was present said he heard what was transpiring from next door.

"He said that, during the course of the conversation, he (Saunders) told or invited Mr Humphries to change his statement 'so my brother can come out of prison'.

"Then his mood changed and he became aggressive."

Within an hour CCTV showed Saunders and a female arrive who made 'repeated demands to have her boyfriend (Aaron Saunders) released from prison, encouraging Mr Humphries to change his statement so he could come out'.

Mr Whitfield said: "It's three visits over the course of 24 hours, all of it designed to put pressure on Mr Humphries to withdraw a statement."

But Mr Whitfield said it had not worked. He said the girlfriend of Aaron Saunders had not yet been prosecuted but said she was 'in the crosshairs'.

Kyle Saunders has 11 previous convictions for 17 offences. In a statement Mr Humphries said Kyle Saunders consistently turned up at his home unannounced and 'invited himself in'. Mr Humphries said he returned home to find his house had been 'trashed' and had decided he needed to 'stand up to him'.

Recorder David Mason QC said: "It seems you lost your head here a bit, no doubt angry about the fact your brother had been locked up again when he had not been charged with any offence. You can't go around intimidating witnesses. You know that now."

He imposed a restraining order to prevent Saunders having any contact directly or indirectly with Mr Humphries. Saunders was also made subject to a community order for 18 months to include 120 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation activity days.

Recorder Mason told Saunders: "Your brother can look after himself. You look after yourself and we won't see you again."