A man described by a judge as “seriously in the grip of drugs” threatened to petrol bomb two houses in Margate over a £400 debt, a court was told.

Richard Champion said he would attack the home Martin Tyler shared with his partner in Cliftonville Avenue, and also a bungalow in the same road in which Mr Tyler’s grandmother lived.

Champion, 22, of Northdown Road, Margate, admitted making threats to cause criminal damage and assaulting a police officer when he appeared at Canterbury Crown Court.

He was jailed for a total of 42 months.

Jim Harvey, prosecuting, said Mr Tyler was given an ultimatum by his partner to stop taking drugs or their relationship would be over.

“Almost from the moment Mr Tyler tried to withdraw from drug-taking problems arose between various people including suppliers,” Mr Harvey said.

“You victimised innocent and vulnerable people, particularly a grandmother in her 80s, but three cheers for her because she said she refused to be bullied..." - Judge James O'Mahony

On December 27, Champion went to the couple’s home and threatened to petrol bomb it.

He then went across the road to the home of Mr Tyler’s grandmother, a woman in her 80s, and knocked on the door.

“When she opened the door she saw Champion standing there with only his eyes visible,” Mr Harvey said.

Champion told her Mr Tyler owed him £400 and if he didn’t get the money that day he would fire bomb both homes.

He then produced a bottle of clear liquid.

Champion gave himself up to police and after being charged he spat at a police officer who was trying to calm him down.

Mitchell Cohen, defending, said Champion was genuinely remorseful and had taken courses while in custody.

Judge James O’Mahony told the defendant: “You were seriously in the grip of drugs when you behaved in the way you did, but your victims had no reason to think you would not carry out your threats.

“You victimised innocent and vulnerable people, particularly a grandmother in her 80s, but three cheers for her because she said she refused to be bullied and was very angry. Good for her because people should stand up to bullies like you and she did,” Judge O’Mahony said.

“When you gave yourself up you ruined that by a repulsive thing of spitting at a police officer who had gone to help you.”