A PROLIFIC offender rushed home to get weapons after a drunken row in the street with a man he thought was someone else, a court heard.

Christopher Halpin, 29, of Bunters Avenue, Shoebury, randomly argued with John Horton who had just arrived home in Marcus Avenue, Thorpe Bay.

His wife Suzanne was home alone when Halpin returned and repeatedly threatened her, Basildon Crown Court heard.

Halpin, armed with a knife, catapult and ball bearings, then went on a wrecking spree - smashing windows of Mr Horton’s home and car. And during the commotion he verbally abused Mrs Horton, and made threats to stab someone.

When later arrested he damaged a camera and microphone at the police custody suite.

Prosecutor Charlotte Davison, told the court how Halpin has 16 previous convictions, during a career in crime ranging from 2016, before he was sentenced to seven-and-half-months in prison. In mitigation Ian Clifton, told the court his client had the weapons for fishing reasons only.

A victim impact statement said the Suzanne Horton was left fearful about leaving the house and worried about Halpin returning for further attacks.

Speaking to Halpin and sentencing him, Judge Samantha Cohen said: “You were drunk and got into an argument with someone and then wrongly believed that was Mr Horton and visited him and his wife.

“Then came a very unpleasant episode, you left the area and went home and armed yourself with two items.

“The knife stayed in your pocket but the catapult was used to damage two windows in the home, you smashed one car window and damaged another.

“I do not accept your explanation for having these items, you plainly went home to get them.

“You had a knife that would strike fear into the heart of anyone and the explanation reduces your remorse.

“I will give you six months in prison for having the blade, six weeks for criminal damage to run consecutively, and then for failing to surrender to court you will have one week in custody.

“This makes seven and a half months in prison and a restraining order for ever to prevent you visiting this road.”

Speaking in the dock, Halpin said: “I will lose my flat, job and everything.

“I was on the phone when I made threats to stab.” Mr Clifton also told the court Halpin has taken steps to stop his drinking issues.