An alcoholic who walked into a Maidstone school and threatened to break the legs of a group of pupils told a court he thought the children had robbed him.

Michael Wilbraham, of Shepway Court, had been drinking before he followed the pupils into Maidstone Grammar School for Boys in December.

Trisan Hyatt, prosecuting, said the 62-year-old was challenged by behaviour manager John Arnold who was concerned and referred him to the police, at which point he became aggressive.

Wilbraham said: “A pickaxe won’t hurt them”, then told another staff member: “I’ll f***ing break their legs.”

“We don’t want you behaving like this again and the people of Maidstone and surrounding area will not put up with it and neither will this court” - Chairman of the magistrates’ bench Adrian Atmore

The following day he turned up at the school again and made threats towards two pupils, threatening to “smash their faces in” and leave them both in wheelchairs.

She told the court a few weeks before the offence Wilbraham had been in Brenchley Gardens talking to some boys when he went to take some medication and found his wallet had gone.

He reported it to police but days later thought he had recognised one of them walking down Hastings Road and decided to follow him into the Barton Road school.

Sara Haroon, defending, said Wilbraham thought he had been invited to take part in an identity parade at the school.

The theft is reported to have occurred on July 7 last year but no arrests were made and the case was filed pending any further information.

At Maidstone Magistrates’ Court Wilbraham pleaded guilty to a public order offence.

Wilbraham also admitted being drunk and disorderly, after being abusive and threatening staff and customers in Coral Bookmakers in Sutton Road in January.

He was locked out but continued being aggressive in front of young children.

The court heard he had been seeking help for his alcohol dependency, which had increased since his mother died two years ago.

Chairman of the magistrates’ bench Adrian Atmore said: “Your behaviour was totally unacceptable and the language used was disgusting. The next day you do the same thing.

“We don’t want you behaving like this again and the people of Maidstone and surrounding area will not put up with it and neither will this court.”

Sentencing was adjourned until Friday, June 26.