A 55-year-old man has been given a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to affray and criminal damage to a property.

Archie Sheehan broke into the caravan he had lived in with his former girlfriend, using a paving slab, and when police arrived they found him in an agitated state and he would not come out, King's Lynn Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

When police tried to enter the caravan on September 24, Sheehan, of Goodwins Road, King's Lynn, took two kitchen knives and pointed one at his ear and one to his stomach, Jane Foster, prosecuting, said.

For Sheehan, Neil Meachem, said he had not actually been violent towards the police or his former girlfriend, but Sheehan admitted his actions would have scared the officers.

He added Sheehan had sent a letter to the woman – breaching his bail conditions – in which he told her he understood he had difficulties which had not been dealt with from his childhood, and she was trying to love a man who had problems.

Sheehan was given an 18-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and must pay court costs of £180, a victim surcharge of £80 and £40 prosection costs.

He was also given a two-month curfew and will have to pay £100 compensation to his former girlfriend.