A convicted murderer who brandished a metal pole in the street while bare-chested and in a drunken stupor just months after being released from prison is back behind bars.

Ashley Lemon was 18 years old when he was locked up for life in 2003 for the murder of Caerwin Ankers in a Chatham bed and breakfast.

Lemon, now aged 30, served 12 years, including time on remand, before being released on life licence by the Parole Board earlier this year.

However, Maidstone Crown Court heard Lemon, who lived in Strood at the time of the murder and also had a former address in Northfleet, was struggling with life on the outside when he was spotted wielding the 2ft long piece of steel in Wainscott on July 26.

Prosecutor Nicholas Hall said Lemon was waving the pole in his hand, shouting: 'I'm coming. You'd better be ready. I'm smashing your f***ing skull in."

The pole was made of square steel, with a taped handle and a wrist cord attached.

It was not known if Lemon, who was described as heavily intoxicated, was shouting at or about anyone in particular.

He later claimed to police he had found the pole and planned to get rid of it.

Lemon, now of Holly Road, Wainscott, admitted possession of an offensive weapon, for which the maximum sentence is four years.

However, Sean Sullivan, defending, said any sentence imposed would have no "additional effect" as Lemon had already been recalled on life licence.

"There is a clear indication that it will take a number of years for him to work through the parole system, even if things go well," added Mr Sullivan.

Of the incident itself Mr Sullivan told the court Lemon had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol.

"No doubt it has been a struggle to come back into living his life in public," he said.

"Two independent witnesses noticed him shouting but there was no one for him to shout at... he was in a drunken stupor."

"No doubt it has been a struggle to come back into living his life in public" - Sean Sullivan, defending

Imposing a jail term of eight months, Judge Charles Macdonald QC told Lemon: "Normally you would be released for the second half but obviously you will continue to serve until the Parole Board instructs your release."

Lemon was convicted of the murder of 30-year-old Mr Ankers, whose body was found in a top floor flat of the Phoenix Guesthouse in Maidstone Road on May 6, 2002.

He was found guilty after a trial at the Inner London Crown Court.

No details of the killing were given during the Maidstone court hearing, although it was reported at the time that Mr Ankers had been subjected to a violent attack.

A second man, aged 34 and from Dartford, was arrested with Lemon. It is believed he was later released without charge.

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