A MAN armed with a knife “threatened to kill” his stepfather after discovering he had been convicted of possessing indecent images of children.

Paul Tobin, of Dordells, Basildon, arrived at his parents house earlier this year demanding to see his mother who was unwell.

A sentencing hearing yesterday, at Basildon Crown Court, heard the 43-year-old “punched a glass panel” before telling his stepfather “I am going to kill you”.

Tobin was armed with a knife at the time.

Kevin Toomey, mitigating, stated his client was in a “drunken rage” after discovering an “article in the local newspaper about his stepfather being convicted of offences relating to indecent images of children”

Upon arrival, at 1.30am, Tobin started banging on the door of the home and his stepfather was woken by the noise David Baird, prosecuting, said: “Mr Tobin’s stepfather told him his mother was currently unwell and he could not see her.

“The knocking continued and there was a punch delivered to a glass panel next to the front door. A witnessing neighbour heard Paul say ‘I need to speak to my mum you pervert’.”

Tobin’s stepfather warned him that he would call the police. Tobin then allegedly said: “I might not see my mum but I can see you and I’m going to kill you.”

Mr Baird added: “The witnessing neighbour said she saw an object in Tobin’s hand which he threw towards the driveway. Police attended shortly after and recovered the item which was a knife.”

Mr Toomey, mitigating, said: “Mr Tobin had not seen his mother since 1999. My client was candid in saying he took the knife with him in a drunken rage because he wanted to slash his stepfather’s tyres, he hadn’t seen him in 20 years as well.

“A few days before, someone had informed him of an article in the local newspaper about his stepfather being convicted of offences relating to indecent images of children.

“That provides no level of mitigation for what he does, I provide that as an explanation for him behaving wildly out of character.”

Tobin admitted making a threat to kill, possessing a bladed article in public and criminal damage.

Recorder Oliver Campbell handed him an eight-month sentence suspended for two years. He was fined £2,000, is required to complete 50 days of rehabilitation activity, and was given a five-year restraining order.