By Will Payne

A man who told mental health workers there was a bomb in their building and forced a mass evacuation of a shopping centre has avoided a prison sentence.

Steven Burnett sent a text message to Arndale House in Dartford to tell them there was an explosive device planted and a second message to tell them they had just one hour before it would blow up.

The 36-year-old, of Valley Drive, Gravesend, had also told police he had heard two men talking about a bomb set to go off at Mind in the town on July 20.

Burnett admitted one charge of bomb hoax and was handed a 12-month community order by Maidstone magistrates.

Prosecutor Andrew Jones said: “Shortly after 2pm the defendant phoned Kent Police and informed them he had be in Dartford and heard two men talking about a bomb at the Mind building.

“There was then a phone call from Arndale House who had received a text message saying there was a bomb in the building.

“There was the a follow-up message that said 'one-hour, last warning'.

“Arndale House was evacuated and the Priory Shopping centre was evacuated as a result of the message.

"There was the a follow-up message that said 'one-hour, last warning'" - prosecutor Andrew Jones

“Inquiries revealed the number used was the same number used by the defendant to ring the police a few minutes earlier.”

Burnett must carry out 12 months of a mental health treatment requirement while also taking part in 30 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

Russell Moorling, defending told the court: “This is a young man with a lot of issues and problems.

“There are problems with the mental health services being in contact with him and he has found it difficult getting in touch with them.”

Burnett was also ordered to pay £85 costs.