AN ‘INTOXICATED’ man armed with a hammer was ‘banging on doors looking for someone’ in a distressed state, a court heard.

Adrian Sweet, 49, was reported to police after he was seen outside a property on South Street, Bridport at 8.45pm on Wednesday, October 14, 2020.

Prosecuting, Andrew Newman, told Weymouth Magistrates’ Court how Sweet wielded a lump hammer inside a plastic bag and was also in possession of a black handled knife.

He said: “Officers on duty were called to an incident in Bridport. There was a phone call to the police that he was banging on doors looking for someone. He was quite intoxicated and topless.”

Referring to a police officer’s statement, Mr Newman said: “I noticed a man holding an unknown object covered with white plastic bag and I shouted 'get back' – we took the object and discovered it was a lump hammer.

“Whilst he was being searched, a black knife was found. He was aggravated and began to swear and hadn’t slept for a number of days hence his erratic state.

“He also said he had something to drink.”

Sweet, who has been staying in temporary accommodation at the Riviera Hotel in Weymouth, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in a public place as well as possession a knife in a public place.

Mitigating, Ian Brazier, said Sweet had ‘family difficulties’ and a ‘long history’ of mental health issues and struggles with ADHD.

Mr Brazier said: “He is a man who has been quite ill. He has had cancer which he has been dealing with as well as whether he will have a home.

“At the time of this offence, he was homeless and in a low state. He doesn’t remember much about the incident, he was drinking but had something on his mind and was in a confused state.

“He has since resolved the issue at hand.”

Mr Brazier said Sweet has since engaged with support and worked with the Lantern Trust to provide him accommodation as well as find him employment.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, April 29 in order for a pre-sentence report to be completed as well as for Sweet to meet with a probation officer.

Sweet was released on conditional bail, with the condition he does not visit the property on South Street, Bridport.