BUILDER Richard James damaged a friend’s home with a ‘medieval style’ metal pole, a court was told.

James, 34, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon on 12 October last year But Friday’s hearing at Gloucester Crown Court was told that James, of Lawnside, Nailsworth, had no idea why he behaved as he did. He also admitted damaging a front door and being disorderly.

His denials of a charge of attempting to commit aggravated burglary and threatening to destroy a policeman’s home were accepted by the prosecution.

Prosecutor Julian Kesner told the court that James was seen ‘banging and smashing’ the front door in Highwood Drive, Nailsworth with a ‘mediaeval looking pole.’

The door frame and a corner panel were damaged and a new door was needed, he added. When the police arrived, James, who works for national building company Lovells, dropped the pole and invited them to arrest him.

But once in the police van, he began banging the door and was threatening and abusive.

He even threatened to burn down an officer’s house, said Mr Kesner, and continued to be badly behaved at the police station.

Hames had five previous criminal convictions, the court heard.

Jon Holmes, defending, said James and the householder had been friends for several years and that his client had no idea why be behaved as he did.

Mr Holmes said his client had had ‘some sort of falling out’ with the householder but the pair were now friends “He has spent a lot of time trying to understand why he did what he did," said Mr Holmes. “He is a very hard working man who is highly thought of by his employer. He can do no more than apologise.” James was sentenced to a 12 month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £250 towards repairing the door and £100 costs..

But Friday’s hearing at Gloucester Crown Court was told that James, of Lawnside, Nailsworth, had no idea why he behaved as he did. He also admitted damaging a front door and being disorderly.

His denials of a charge of attempting to commit aggravated burglary and threatening to destroy a policeman’s home were accepted by the prosecution.

Prosecutor Julian Kesner told the court that James was seen ‘banging and smashing’ the front door in Highwood Drive, Nailsworth with a ‘mediaeval looking pole.’ The door frame and a corner panel were damaged and a new door was needed, he added. When the police arrived, James, who works for national building company Lovells, dropped the pole and invited them to arrest him.

But once in the police van, he began banging the door and was threatening and abusive.

He even threatened to burn down an officer’s house, said Mr Kesner, and continued to be badly behaved at the police station.

Hames had five previous criminal convictions, the court heard.

Jon Holmes, defending, said James and the householder had been friends for several years and that his client had no idea why be behaved as he did.

Mr Holmes said his client had had ‘some sort of falling out’ with the householder but the pair were now friends “He has spent a lot of time trying to understand why he did what he did," said Mr Holmes. “He is a very hard working man who is highly thought of by his employer. He can do no more than apologise.” James was sentenced to a 12 month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £250 towards repairing the door and £100 costs.