A DRUG-FUELLED thug who threatened to blow up a block of flats has been jailed.

Paul James went on a criminal rampage stabbing a man through the lung, charging down a street armed with kitchen knives and setting fire to his flat while guzzling pills and warning others in the eight flat block he had turned the gas on.

James, 43, of Old Road, Clacton, claimed he was suffering from psychosis and schizophrenia but a judge and psychiatrist claimed he was either making it up or simply high on crack cocaine before he was jailed to four years and three months in prison.

Stephen Rose, prosecuting at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday, said: “At about 4.50pm on October 3 police were called to Old Road.

“Police officers and members of the public observed the defendant waving two large kitchen knives in the street.”

James had been chasing a victim around parked cars.

The victim was found covered in blood with a stab wound through his back and into his lung.

James was arrested but released on bail and three weeks later, on October 28, police were called again.

Mr Rose said: “The defendant was throwing items out of two broken windows and threatening to harm himself.

“He said words to the effect ‘I have started a fire that is going really well. I have turned the gas on. It will be going up soon’.”

Firefighters arrived and managed to coax him out of the first floor flat using a ladder.

He had set fire to his bedding and items in a cupboard but the fire did not spread.

All other flats had to be evacuated.

James admitted arson and being reckless about endangering life, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and making threats.

Steven Levy, mitigating, said: “This defendant was crying out for help.”

He pointed to a history of mental health problems, although some of these were discounted by the defence psychiatrist.

Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC said: “This has been charged very generously by the Crown Prosecution Service as ABH not as a wounding or grievous bodily harm.

“He has got away with it every time previously.

“There are nine previous court appearances for 13 offences and you have never been to prison before.

“There were eight flats with occupants who had to be evacuated.

“The offence is aggravated by the fact you were on bail at the time.

“The time has come when you must be subjected to punishment for your wrongdoing.”

He was jailed for one year for ABH, three months for the threatening behaviour and three years for reckless arson to be served consecutively.