A thug who launched a violent attack at a school, forcing teachers and pupils to go on lockdown, has narrowly avoided jail.

Police were called to the Robert Napier School in Gillingham on Thursday, February 23, after the "aggressive intruder" - believed to be a pupil’s parent - made threats and damaged a door.

They arrested Tony Tree, 42, and later charged him with common assault, threatening behaviour and criminal damage.

Magistrates were told Tree assaulted a man at the school, threatened a woman and another man and caused £300 of damage to a door.

While officers dealt with the incident, pupils were asked to remain in their classrooms at the school in Third Avenue and a letter was sent to parents explaining the safety measure.

Tree, of Freesia Close, Gillingham, appeared before magistrates in Medway a few days later and pleaded guilty to all three charges.

The case against him was adjourned for pre-sentencing reports to be prepared and he was sentenced at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, March 16.

Magistrates jailed Tree for 63 days but suspended the term for 24 months.

He was also ordered to pay £400 compensation.

Head teacher Andrew Minchin said: “The school will not tolerate any form of aggressive behaviour or abuse of our staff and we will push for prosecution every time.

“I would like to also praise my staff who acted with vigilance and courage while faced with an aggressive intruder.

“I would also like to praise the rapid response from the police.”