A man who took a housing officer prisoner and threatened to cut his throat two days after he was released from a jail sentence is back behind bars.

Ryan Miskin had been set free from a five-year term for a knifepoint robbery on December 23 last year.

After drinking heavily and using cannabis, on Boxing Day he ended up at a friend’s accommodation for homeless people in Gillingham Road, Gillingham.

The 32-year-old caused a disturbance there and another resident contacted Ashdown Medway Accommodation Trust (AMAT).

Prosecutor Catharine Donnelly said a housing officer went to the flats to see what was happening.

Miskin told him he wanted to stay there, but the officer asked him to leave.

He then closed the door, telling the victim: “It’s a hostage situation now.”

“He said he would cut his throat and cut his beard off,” Miss Donnelly told Maidstone Crown Court.

“He pulled out a Stanley knife and said: ‘I am going to go for your jugular’.

He warned: “Go for the door and see how far you get.”

The victim took a phone call from his boss asking if he was alright and whether he needed help. He replied that he did.

Miskin then threatened: “If you call the police, it is the biggest mistake you will make.

"When the police call I will slash your throat.”

The officer's boss was let into the room. They were eventually allowed to leave, but Miskin continued to make threats, saying he would find the man and cut his throat when he left work.

Miskin later went to a pub and caused a disturbance.

“He said he had killed someone two hours ago by cutting his jugular vein,” said Miss Donnelly.

Miskin, of no fixed address, admitted false imprisonment, damaging property and possessing cannabis. He was jailed for three years and four months.

He had 24 previous convictions for 62 offences. The court heard he served all of the five-year sentence imposed in August 2012.

Passing sentence, Judge Julian Smith said: “It was profoundly shocking and terrifying.

"The impact is clear on someone who was doing no more than his job.”