A Lowestoft man who threatened to blow up the town's police station with a hand grenade has been given a 12 month supervision order by magistrates.

Steven Eade, 48, of the High Street, was sentenced on Tuesday after he had earlier pleaded guilty to ringing 999 and making his threat to the police station on Old Nelson Street during a 999 call.

Lowestoft magistrates heard Eade, who had a drink problem, had rang 999 on September 23 after he had earlier rang police about a friend being arrested.

Colette Griffiths, prosecuting, said: 'He became abusive. He was threatening to blow up the Lowestoft police station. He wanted to take a hand grenade there and blow it up.'

Eade had also threatened to bring a shotgun to the station.

Martin Clarke, mitigating, said: 'He does not know why he said these things.

'He feels very foolish for making these calls and is very embarrassed to be here.'

Mr Clarke added his client wanted to apologise to police for his behaviour and never owned a hand grenade or shotgun.

The court heard Eade had last worked in 2007 and had turned to drink in frustration.

After pleading guilty to sending by means of public electronic communication, namely a phone call, that was on a menacing character Eade was sentenced to a 12 month supervision order with a six month alcohol treatment requirement.