A man who told a social worker he had built bombs in a 'cry for help' has been jailed.

When police arrived at the home of Ian Hendrie in Coleridge Road in October they found six glass bottles filled with screws and nails.

The 55-year-old told a social worker he had built bombs, but all police found was non-explosive bottles in a dustbin outside his home.

Hendrie was arrested and taken to hospital as police were concerned about his welfare, and once there the hoaxer attacked those around him.

He was taken into custody, and he again assaulted officers and damaged his cell.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Shona Ross said: "Hendrie claimed to have made bombs, hoping the information would be passed to Kent Police.

"When officers attended his address he directed them to the bottles, at no point did they present a danger to the public.

"Upon arrest, he admitted it was a cry of help and that he didn’t fully appreciate the seriousness of his claim or the consequences."

Hendrie was sentenced on Wednesday, January 10, for a hoax bomb threat. He had also been charged with five counts of assaulting a police officer, and two counts of criminal damage.

He pleaded guilty to each offence at Maidstone Crown Court and was sentenced to a 22 month spell behind bars.

DC Ross said: "Hoax reports are a waste of police time and divert resources away from people who genuinely need help. In short, don’t do it."