A crack cocaine addict claimed in court he was attacked by his dealer with a dog chain in a row over drugs before offering to spar with him without “tools”.

Self confessed “crack head” Thomas Clark was spotted fighting with a man in Meadow Bank Road in Chatham in September.

He offered him out for another brawl in the nearby Great Lines Heritage Park but told him not to take any “tools” with him.

The drug addict was later charged with threatening behaviour over the matter, but failed to show up at court when his case was listed.

The 28-year-old was also facing another charge of possession of a class A drug after being found with rocks of crack cocaine in June when paramedics had to administer first aid to him as he had also swallowed sleeping pills.

Clark, who is currently staying with a friend in Hards Town, but hails from the New Romney area, also failed to return to a police station to answer his bail.

He was still being investigated over one of the incidents and as a result a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Officers managed to apprehend him on October 22 and he was brought before magistrates in Medway last Wednesday.

While in the dock he admitted possessing crack cocaine, two counts of failing to surrender to custody, and a threatening behaviour charge.

Clark, who confessed to a drinking problem, also admitted breaching the terms of his post sentence supervision requirements after he was released on licence having served a previous jail term.

The court heard he failed to surrender in July and October this year and he also failed to attend two appointments with probation in December last year.

Rajni Prashar, prosecuting, said: “On June 26 paramedics were called to Chelmar Road, Chatham as he needed medical attention.

“He was arrested when rocks (of crack cocaine) were found on him along with other drug paraphernalia.

“He told officers he was a ‘crack head’ and that he’d taken sleeping pills too.”

The prosecutor then told the court about the other incident involving the brawl in Chatham on September 27.

She added: “He was seen fighting with another man in Meadow Bank Road and punches were thrown and then a chase and he said to the man ‘come to the Lines [Great Lines Heritage Park] to fight, but no tools’.

“He made no comment in interview but he has a number of previous assault related offences and he’s been on community orders but he fails to comply.”

Niall Doherty, defending, said his client had been scared to come to court as he thought he was going to be locked up.

‘Come to the Lines to fight, but no tools’

Mr Doherty added: “He was bricking it and thought he would be going to jail.

“He uses crack, spice and alcohol and is dossing at his mates (house).”

In relation to the incident on September, Mr Doherty told the court his client had argued with his dealer.

“He went to buy crack and had an argument with his dealer and says he was attacked with a dog chain, it was a fight over drugs.

“He’s 28 and has committed 37 offences and has 19 convictions including public order, theft, three for drugs and for a weapon, a sawn-off shotgun, these (offences) go hand in hand in his kind of world.”

The court also heard from a probation officer who said Clark had told him that he usually drunk at least half a crate of beer each day and that drugs were rife in his life and that he needed support to kick his habits.

Magistrates decided to place Clark on an 18 month community order for the threatening behaviour and possession of class A drug offences so he could have a “chance to sort his life out”.

The order will see him complete a drug rehabilitation requirement for 12 months and he must also attend 20 rehabilitation sessions with probation.

Clark was fined £50 for the failing to comply with the post sentence supervision offence and was also fined £50 for each failing to surrender to custody offence.

Magistrates ordered the crack cocaine found on Clark to be destroyed and told him to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and £85 court costs.

As he left court the chairman of the bench told him “this is your last chance”.