A raging Mercedes driver brandished a 2ft hammer in a row with pedestrians who thought he almost hit them.

Selhurst Blades also “swung his fists in a windmilling manner” before arming himself with the tool and challenging a man to a fight during his outburst in Herne Bay.

The 58-year-old, who lives in the town, avoided jail at Canterbury Crown Court after admitting affray at a previous hearing.

Prosecutor Ben Wild said the outburst came after a pedestrian reacted to what he perceived as dangerous driving by Blades.

“Mr Blades was driving on Mortimer Street, Herne Bay, as the Skinner family were walking across a pedestrian walkway near the Nationwide building,” said Mr Wild.

“Mr Skinner says he had to move his mother and wife to avoid them being hit and as the car passed he gave a thump to the back of Mr Blades’ car.

“Mr Blades then exits the car aggressively and says: ‘Don’t touch my car.’

“To which Mr Skinner responds: ‘Well don’t drive like a **** then.’”

The court heard how, during the confrontation on October 4, 2022, Blades then “swung his fists in a windmilling manner”.

He then returned to his black CLK class Mercedes and retrieved a 2ft slide hammer.

“Don’t touch my car” - “Well don’t drive like a c**t then...”

Mr Wild said the enraged motorist began walking towards the Skinners, challenging him to a fight, before getting back in his car and reversing at Mr Skinner - almost hitting him.

He described how Mr Skinner then smashed the back window of the car. Then Blades drove a little further up the road and got out.

Blades began walking back towards Mr Skinner but then turned back, got back in his car and drove off, the prosecutor explained.

“Ms Skinner felt shaky after the incident, and reported it to the police,” he continued.

Blades was arrested on November 16, 2022.

Having previously pleaded guilty to the charge, Blades attended his sentencing hearing on September 6 dressed in a tan and white varsity jacket.

He could be seen in the dock shaking his head as the prosecutor opened the case.

The court heard he has a history of criminal behaviour, including a 1999 conviction for robbery and a 34-month custodial term for blackmail in 2016.

But Oliver Kirk, mitigating, pointed out that since being released he has kept out of trouble.

“He and his wife have since moved to Herne Bay, they have settled there and live a rather unremarkable existence,” said Mr Kirk.

“As well as having mental health problems, he also suffers from high blood pressure and sleep apnea.

“He had a pretty brutal upbringing and was in quite serious trouble in his previous life, but he really has moved on from that.

“He has had more than his fair share of difficulty to deal with in life - the death of a son, death of twins and those have clearly left their scars on him.

“The incident is now nearly two years ago. He’s not been arrested for anything since. He is trying to lead a law-abiding life and really wishes to put this behind him.”

Judge Mark Weekes addressed Blades directly as he handed down the sentence.

“I am far from the first tribunal to address sentencing remarks to you - you do not have a terribly attractive antecedent history,” the judge said.

“You fall to be sentenced today for an offence of affray. It was a rather unpleasant incident following a perceived or actual belief in threat.”

Blades was given a 12-month community order to complete 20 rehabilitation sessions.

As a direct alternative to unpaid work - because he is not fit to work - Blades is subject to a three-month, electronically-monitored curfew of 8pm to 6am.

He will also pay prosecution costs of £630 and a victim surcharge of £114.