ADDICTS “desperate” for a fix of cocaine brandished knives after a discussion with man over drugs.

Users Paul Taylor, 45, and Mike Blaylock, 34, arrived at an address in Clacton on the hunt for Ben Kirby, in the hopes of scoring a portion of the Class A drug.

When Mr Kirby arrived outside the house, he saw the two defendants and a third unidentified man.

Gavin Pottinger, prosecuting, said: “It was clear Mr Taylor wanted to buy some drugs from Mr Kirby.

“He said: 'Get me some gear, you've been to London to load up.'

“Mr Kirby said he didn't have any drugs. He agreed to meet them further down the road.”

When the group reconvened, in Hadleigh Road, Taylor “lost his temper.”

Blaylock drew a knife, swiping the blade at Mr Kirby, who was sitting in his car.

Mr Kirby initially drove away from the scene, but returned and witnessed Taylor brandishing a knife.

Taylor “swiped” the knife at the car as it passed, causing damage to the vehicle.

Two days after the incident, Taylor and Blaylock burgled a home in Edith Road, Clacton.

The pair were seen on CCTV entering the address, before leaving with an Xbox games console worth £399.

Taylor also shoplifted from several businesses across Clacton between August last year and February.

Richard Conley, mitigating for Taylor, said each crime was fuelled by his addiction.

Taylor has seven convictions for 29 offences and has served prison sentences for crimes including armed robbery.

But Mr Conley said Taylor had turned his life around across a six year period, after he met his current partner.

But he was forced to move from his “nice town house” in Walton to a smaller address in Clacton after a fall from a ladder “destroyed” his successful painting and decorating business.

“They weren't able to keep up with the rental payments and downsized – moving to Clacton, a town which endures considerable hardship with poverty and drugs,” he said.

“Regrettably he fell prey to some of these influences in the town.”

Gareth Hughes, mitigating for Blaylock, said his client had moved to Clacton from Southend after a ten year relationship came to an end, where he also sank into drug addiction.

“He was desperate for drugs,” said Mr Hughes.

Blaylock, of West Avenue, Clacton, and Taylor, of Waldergrave Way, Lawford, admitted making threats with a knife and burglary.

Taylor admitted eight counts of shoplifting.

Recorder John Bate-Williams sentenced Taylor to two years and eight months in prison and Blaylock to one year and 11 months imprisonment.