Ex-professional footballer Benjamin Savage, who played for Cardiff City, Wimbledon, and Southampton, threatened his neighbour with a six-inch knife through a letterbox after receiving a note requesting a cigarette.
The incident occurred at a Cardiff block of flats on 24 August, where Savage, 47, became enraged and shouted: “If you come near my door I’ll f****** stab you.”
Cardiff Crown Court heard the neighbour had to move his leg to avoid being cut by the blade during the frightening ordeal.
Savage, who has 81 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to affray. His defence counsel, Kirsten Murphy, explained his career ended in 2009 following a serious fall from a church roof whilst working as a roofer. The injury led to titanium plates being fitted in his legs and an eventual spiral into drug addiction.
Ms Murphy noted that Savage has made significant progress in recent years, securing accommodation and participating in a methadone programme.
Judge Vanessa Francis sentenced Savage to eight months imprisonment and imposed a three-year restraining order, stating: “It must have been for your neighbour a terrifying experience… What you did was wholly irresponsible.”
