A MAN went on the rampage with a hammer after a drinking session which a judge described as “off the Richter scale”.

Kai David Anderson had been drinking and smoking cannabis at a friend’s house, for whom he had been doing some decorating, when the pair fell out without explanation.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Anderson punched his friend and then returned with a hammer, smashing the front door of the house, in Leven Street, Middlesbrough, down.

He went into the bedroom and aimed a blow to the head of the petrified victim, who fended it off, and also struck him on the ankle with the weapon.

Prosecutor Stephen Duffield said: “He was described as being like a madman. He continued to make threats and [the victim] feared for his life.”

Anderson, 35, of Outram Street, Middlesbrough, was subsequently arrested and told police he had “kicked off”.

He also claimed to have been assaulted himself on the night of the incident, February 24 this year, although it was not clear by who. He declined to make any further comment.

Shaven-headed Anderson, who has previous convictions for offences including theft and violence, admitted common assault and threats to kill.

His barrister Nicholas Peacock said he had already served the equivalent of a nine month sentence while on remand and said to further jail him for a short period would not be a long-term solution.

Judge Guy Whitburn said it had been a “pretty terrifying incident” for those involved, adding: “The amount that has been drunk is off the Richter scale.”

The judge gave Anderson a 12 month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and said he would do 100 hours unpaid work. He will also have to attend sessions with an alcohol recovery group.