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A Dutch court has convicted three men of threatening behaviour after one dressed up as a clown and chased unsuspecting cyclists with an axe.

The other two filmed the prank and posted it on YouTube, according to a written description of the incidents on April 24 that prosecutors in Amsterdam released today.

In one part of the footage, which has been removed from the site, a female cyclist was videotaped approaching the clown's hiding place in bushes.

The prosecutors' statement says the clown jumped out, screamed at the girl, raised the axe over his head and chased her down the street.

Police said a male cyclist also was targeted.

The three men, who were not identified by court officials, defended their actions as humorous.

All were sentenced to 40 hours' community service.