THE brother of a murderer who died in prison has been jailed for threatening a man with a knife after being attacked following the death.

Durham Crown Court was told some people in the Peterlee area had been unsympathetic about the death of Joseph Iley, who had been serving life for the murder of his wife Margaret. He died of cancer in October.

Alex Burns, prosecuting said: "Joseph Iley's brother, Brian, was in the local Labour Club when the death was being discussed.

"Brian Iley was assaulted by Kevin Lauderdale, who was arrested and cautioned.

"Two days later, Iley heard Mr Lauderdale was in a Wetherspoon's pub in Peterlee boasting about the assault.

"Iley's response was to take a 10in knife from his kitchen and to make his way to the pub to confront Mr Lauderdale."

He said, Iley threatened Mr Lauderdale with the knife, but he was able to get behind the door of the pub to use it as a shield before Iley was disarmed.

Neil Bennett, mitigating, said: "The news of Joseph Iley's death was greeted very unsympathetically by some.

"Brian Iley was assaulted in the Labour Club and forced to leave.

"His nose was broken, and he felt frustrated when he heard how the person who did it was dealt with.

"Mr Iley never intended to use the knife, he just wanted Mr Lauderdale to feel the same fright and intimidation."

Passing sentence, Recorder Tim Roberts QC said: “You were feeling very hurt by the apparent disdain with which the death of your brother was being treated.

"But the knife incident was not a chance encounter. You armed yourself and set out to find your victim.

"Had it not been for his quick reactions in getting out of your way, there could have been serious injury.”

Iley, 58, of Morton Square, Peterlee, who admitted affray and possession of a bladed article October 26 was jailed for 10 months.