A DRUNKEN maniac yelled “mass destruction” as he smashed up his girlfriend’s flat and threw her belongings out of an upstairs window, a court heard.

Police cordoned off the area around the property in Redcar, east Cleveland, on May 16 to prevent passers-by being showered with debris from the wrecking spree.

Teesside Crown Court was told armed officers were also called in after John Henson claimed he had a gun and warned: “I’ll shoot you all.”

He backed up the stairs pretending to be hiding a weapon, smashed windows with his fists and began hurling things – including a stereo – to the ground. The damage was estimated at nearly £4,500.

When he was finally arrested, the 37-year-old was taken to hospital for treatment to cuts to his hands.

It emerged Henson had assaulted his long-term partner, Kimberley Ripley, a day earlier when he saw her walking her dog near a golf course.

The court heard she stayed away from home that night in case there was further trouble, but returned at 6am and found Henson drunk there.

There was vomit throughout the property and urine in cups and glasses, said Nathan Moxon, prosecuting, and Henson was said to be “as high as a kite”.

Ms Ripley later tried to flee from the flat with her fouryear- old grandson after further trouble, but found the front door had been locked by her daughter.

Henson pulled her by her hair and clothing, tried to gouge her eyes and threatened to kill her and “glass the next person through the door”.

The boy was shaking uncontrollably and Ms Ripley was terrified her daughter might be hurt because she was expected at the flat, said Mr Moxon.

Ms Ripley eventually fled with the child when her daughter arrived.

The court was told window fitter Henson often went on “blow outs” after he had been paid, and drank for up to ten days until his money ran out.

Graham Brown, mitigating, said Henson had never received proper psychiatric help after the death of his uncle in a car crash in Australia in 1999, while he was driving. He was jailed for six months after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

He said Ms Ripley wanted the relationship to continue.

Henson, of Station Road, Redcar, admitted two charges of battery, as well as counts of making threats to kill, affray and criminal damage.

Judge Peter Armstrong imposed a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years, with supervision, and ordered him to attend a domestic violence course.