A MEMBER of a travelling family who told a secondhand car salesman he would beat him to death because he thought he had spread gossip about him has been ordered to pay a £500 fine.

Albert Ayers, of Atyeo Close, Dilton Marsh, yelled abused at Anthony Williams before demanding payment for slander and taking a van, which he later returned.

When the 41-year-old was arrested he said he had flown into a rage because he thought Mr Williams was slandering him over the non-payment of a vehicle five years earlier.

He admitted one charge of using threatening words or behaviour at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday and was fined £500 and ordered to pay £45 prosecution costs.

Richard Franck, prosecuting, said Mr Williams had not received payment for a van he sold to Ayers and a cousin five years ago and had not seen the defendant again until he turned up at Parrots Paddock, Nunney Catch, near Frome, on March 10 this year.

He said Ayers visited the car dealer with another person who was selling wood. "The victim had not seen the defendant since he sold him the vehicle," Mr Franck said. "He said I haven't seen you for some time.' Mr Ayers said I will beat you to death for slandering my name.' "He demanded payment for the slander and took a van away, which he returned. He said he flew into a rage because he believed Mr Williams had been slandering his name."

Martin Lanchester, defending, said his client had suffered from depression since the incident and had been terrified of going to court.

Ayers was warned he could be jailed if he failed to pay the fine.