Bradley Coleman’s actions towards his victims were described by a magistrate this week as “one of the worst experiences anyone could possibly imagine having happened to them”.

Coleman was living with his girlfriend at a caravan park in Hamilton when his relationship with the couple, who managed the property, deteriorated in February last year.

The couple told Coleman he was going to be evicted before Coleman suddenly punched the husband in the head and ran at them with the tomahawk, yelling “I’m going to f*cking kill you c*nts”.

Screaming, the wife started running towards the caravan park’s exit while her husband armed himself with a garden chair, managing to disarm Coleman as his son came to aid.

Coleman fled the scene but was later arrested by police.

In court this week, Coleman’s defence lawyer stressed her client had a difficult upbringing, having been placed in foster care when he was five.

“Of all the clients I’ve had, he has had one of the most difficult backgrounds in terms of parental neglect,” she said.

But Magistrate Gregory Robinson pointed to Coleman’s lengthy criminal history and took issue with the nature of the tomahawk attack.

“That would be one of the worst experiences anyone could possibly imagine having happened to them,” he said.

Coleman was sentenced to two years and one month behind bars. He will be eligible for parole in 16 months.