A 61-year-old man from Ballymena has admitted carrying a knife and hatchet as offensive weapons after confronting a motorist in a Castle Street car park.

Philip Arthur Esler of Castle Street Mews appeared at Ballymena Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to the weapons charges, assaulting the car owner, and causing criminal damage to a vehicle.

The court heard the incident occurred on 23 November last year.

Prosecutors withdrew charges of threatening to kill and attempting to damage a second vehicle.

A charge of possessing the weapons with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was dismissed after the judge found insufficient evidence of that intent.

Esler told the court he had been disturbed by loud vehicle exhausts and tyre spinning in the car park over several years and decided to confront those responsible.

The case was adjourned until the end of June for a pre-sentence report.