A crazed neighbour smashed up a terrified couple’s car and burst into their home armed with a hammer and knife after a row about their shared drive, a court heard.

But Lyndon Martin walked free after a judge decided six months spent in custody on remand was a long enough sentence.

Strict conditions aimed at treating the 46-year-old’s mental health problems were also imposed.

Maidstone Crown Court heard drunk Martin forced his way into Patricia Corcoran and Frank Ledger’s house in Main Road, Queenborough, in the early hours of April 21 this year.

Brandishing the hammer and with a knife tucked in his jacket, he told Mr Ledger: “There’s no reason why I shouldn’t put this hammer through your head right now.”

Prosecutor Keith Yardy said Ms Corcoran hid in a bedroom and called the police.

Martin continued to wave the hammer around and kept reaching into his jacket.

He eventually left and returned to his home. Mr Ledger saw windows in his Vauxhall Corsa had been smashed and every panel had dents, causing £3,000 worth of damage.

Martin, who was outside having a cigarette when he was arrested, told officers: “I hold my hands up to the damage. I smashed every window of that car.”

He asked if anybody was hurt and showing the weapons, he said: “I went round with these.” The knife handle was bloodstained.

Martin added that as soon as he was released he would go back and “do in” Mr Ledger.

When interviewed, he said he had mental health problems and had been helped by a crisis team since January.

He added that he had been irritated by Mr Ledger abusing the shared driveway and blocking his access.

“He explained he had been drinking and realised he was having a breakdown,” said Mr Yardy. “He called the crisis team around midnight, but they had to break off because they were too busy.

“He became angry and smashed the car. He cut his hand when smashing the car windows.”

Martin, who admitted affray, criminal damage, possessing an offensive weapon and possessing a knife, had 31 previous convictions for 78 offences, including criminal damage and actual bodily harm.

Judge Martin Joy ordered a psychiatric report when Martin entered his pleas in June.

He said: “This is a very serious incident. It is extreme behaviour - on the face of it, somebody exhibiting signs of mental illness.”

Martin was sentenced to nine months imprisonment suspended for two years with a rehabilitation requirement. He will have to attend a Resolve programme and alcohol treatment for a year.

The judge also imposed a curfew from 7.30pm to 7.30am for six months and made a restraining order, banning contact with the victims, who have since moved.

Sara Haroon, defending, said there was a direct link between alcohol and Martin’s offending.

“There has been excellent behaviour in custody,” she said. “He has had structure, support, discipline and a community he has felt a part of.

“When released, he has support in place to help him with his problem. His main problem is alcohol.”

Judge Joy told Martin: “The offences are disturbing. Quite plainly, you must have terrified Mr Ledger and Patricia Corcoran.

“You must have been terrifying in the waving of the hammer and the assertion there was no reason why you should not put it through Mr Ledger’s head.

“Quite plainly, you were out of control. These are extremely serious offences" - Judge Martin Joy

“Quite plainly, you were out of control. These are extremely serious offences.

“A psychiatric report shows that you do not have what might be regarded as a treatable mental illness, but notwithstanding that there are plainly real problems you have in your psychological makeup.

“You have been before the courts for 29 years. You could not complain if an immediate custodial sentence of some length was imposed.

“You have been in custody for a considerable time. I have come to the conclusion the sentence can be suspended.”

On hearing he would be freed, Martin wept and said: “I had no idea this was going to happen today. Thank you very much. God bless.”