A CHESTER man who walked around the city centre with a garden fork as he believed someone was out to get him has been sectioned.

Chester Crown Court heard Paul Judson, 44, of Nicholas Street, had a history of mental health problems and, in the 12 months since he committed a series of four offences in the city, he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

Judge Simon Berkson ordered Judson, who pleaded guilty to all offences and who the court heard had a history of homelessness and living on the streets, to be readmitted to the Scott Clinic for his own wellbeing and for the benefit of members of the public.

Prosecuting, Richard Edwards said the first offence occurred on February 26, 2018, when a Chester Racecourse security guard saw a flame in the middle of the course.

When he approached the fire, he saw Judson, who explained he was disposing of a gas canister and not to go near the fire as "it might blow up".

The security guard recognised Judson and saw he was holding a bottle and slurring his words. Judson became agitated and threatened the guard.

He was told to calm down and he then set off in the direction of Chester Magistrates Court.

After being arrested by police, Judson said he set off the fire to draw attention.

After being released on bail, Judson threatened an outreach worker in the Pret a Manger store in Northgate Street with assault the following day.

In a victim impact statement, the outreach worker said the offence left him feeling angry and worried, feeling he would be targeted if he went out in the city.

On March 12, 2018, at about 11.30pm, a taxi driver saw Judson walking on Eastgate Street carrying a garden fork, heading in the direction of Foregate Street.

Concerned about him, the taxi driver contacted the police.

Just after midnight, a CCTV operator saw Judson walking round the back of Chester Town Hall and began kicking a door for about five minutes, shouting at a CCTV camera. The CCTV operator was concerned Judson would gain entry to the building, but Judson walked away, picking up the garden fork.

Police checked the door but there was no obvious damage.

At 3.15pm on March 13, police approached Judson, who was carrying a sharpened wooden pole which he claimed he needed if the police were not going to help him. He also referred to a man with a shotgun and having a chip planted in his neck, and that man was out to get him.

He had tried to enter the town hall door to gain protection.

Judge Berkson said: "It became clear while in custody you had a number of serious mental health problems."

Judson had 34 previous convictions for 50 offences, including 12 for damage to property, five drug-related offences, four public order offences and crimes including shoplifting, assault, harassment, being drunk and disorderly and possession of a knife.

Defending, Sarah Cook said Judson had made a "noticeable" improvement in the past 12 months, adding he was "really progressing" and accepting he was unwell at the time of the offences.

Judge Berkson added: "This is a case where at the time he was not in his normal state of mind."

Judson had been detained at a medical treatment centre and the opinion of two expert doctors was that he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.

He was readmitted to the Scott Clinic under section 37 of the Mental Health Act.