A man who armed himself with a baseball bat for fear of being attacked by his lover's friends has avoided a prison sentence.

Police found intoxicated Nathan Seal in the communal hallway of a block of flats in Bow Road, Wateringbury, on September 22 trying to hide the weapon.

The 35-year-old had struck up a no strings attached relationship with a woman in the flat below his.

During a hearing magistrates in Maidstone heard the woman had made requests for him to be assaulted.

Andrew Jones, prosecuting, said: “During interview with police the defendant admitted to being in the communal area standing outside a neighbour’s property with a baseball bat.

“He said he had been threatened by people and due to this he had this bat.

"He said he was going to use it to defend himself if necessary.”

Seal admitted one count of possessing an offensive weapon in public.

Jag Takk, defending Seal, said: “My client tells me recently his long-term partner has been sent to prison which has left him living on his own.

“It is a block of flats. In the same block a young lady has moved in and Mr Seal told me he formed a casual relationship with her.

“She has persuaded other men to attend his address and assault him.”

Seal was given a 12-month community order and must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £85.