A man who wrote to police warning them he would shoot a man he believed was a sex offender has received a suspended jail sentence.

Albert Arnold, 68, of Wyles Road, Chatham, admitted a charge of sending a malicious communication conveying a threatening message when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court.

The court heard how he sent a letter to Medway police station on Friday September 9 2016 in which he made threats to shoot a man who he believed had an interest in children.

The letter was opened by a member of police staff who perceived the threat to be genuine, and a subsequent forensic examination found Arnold’s fingerprints and DNA on both the letter and envelope.

Arnold was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years following his sentencing.

He was also given a tagged curfew for four months between 10pm and 9am and he has been given a two-year restraining order banning him from contacting the person for whom he referred to in his letter.

An earlier hearing heard details of the letter's contents, and how Arnold had written: "He will be shot with my own weapon which is silent but most deadly.

"I will bury him while he is still fighting for his breath, so do something before I will.

"This isn’t an idle threat. I’m going to put big mouth in the ground."

It had also been said that Arnold was a frequent correspondent with police regarding crimes in Medway and Judge Adele Williams warned him at a previous hearing: "These letters have got to stop."

Investigating officer, Samantha Luck, said: "Arnold made a very clear threat to someone’s life based on untrue information. The victim didn’t know Mr Arnold and was unaware why he was being targeted.

"We take all reports of malicious communication very seriously and if someone is sharing information about you that is indecent or threatening I would encourage you to report it to your local policing team so it can be investigated."