A SELF-STYLED gangster who threatened to kill a police community support officer (PCSO), has been jailed - despite his pleas to remain with his terminally ill mother.

Christopher Cockburn made the drunken threats against the PCSO at a party in Ferryhill, County Durham, on June 27.

John Garside, prosecuting, said three PCSOs attended the party at 8.15pm after noise complaints.

He described how the 23-year-old had jumped around in the street, shouting, swearing and challenging one of the PCSOs to a fight.

Police were called and Cockburn, who claimed to be unwell, was arrested and taken to hospital.

“At the hospital he continued to make threats stating: ‘You’re dead. Do you know who I am? I am a gangster. What’s your name? You’re dead," said Mr Garside.

Cockburn, of Burn Place, Willington, admitted using threatening, abusive and insulting words and behaviour. He also admitted stealing 12 cans of Carlsberg lager from Mainsforth News, Ferryhill, on September 19.

The offences put him in breach of a suspended sentence, which he received in August for assaulting a police officer, breaching a restraining order and resisting a police officer.

Sam Brewster, mitigating, said Cockburn had a problem with drugs and alcohol and had lost his temper at the party.

He said Cockburn’s drinking had increased recently as his mother is very ill.

“He would ask the court to consider his mothers illness and the fact doctors have told her she only has months to live,” he added.

Newton Aycliffe magistrates sentenced Cockburn to a total of six weeks in custody for the offences and a further ten weeks for breaching his suspended sentence.