Belfast High Court has heard how a PSNI officer had to draw his gun to force a man, who had been swinging a samurai sword at his head, to drop the weapon.
Richard Hartin, 33, is accused of possessing an offensive weapon and attempted grievous bodily harm during a neighbourhood disturbance in Larne in Co Antrim.
The court heard the accused called the police complaining about noisy youths in the street and that when officers arrived, Mr Hartin burst out of the house wielding the samurai sword, which he allegedly swung at the police officer's head.
The constable then had to draw his gun to challenge the accused to put the sword down.
Mr Hartin, who denies the charges, was granted bail after his lawyer said the sword was part of an ornamental set of two, both of which have been seized by police.
During the hearing, the judge enquired how such a weapon could be obtained. He was told that the swords had been bought on the internet auction site eBay.
