STAFF at an Ipswich job centre were threatened and intimidated by a man who was angry about not getting his benefits, a court heard.Andrew Wilson, 42, entered the job centre, on Silent Street, twice in the afternoon of December 11 last year.

STAFF at an Ipswich job centre were threatened and intimidated by a man who was angry about not getting his benefits, a court heard.

Andrew Wilson, 42, entered the job centre, on Silent Street, twice in the afternoon of December 11 last year.

South East Suffolk Magistrates Court heard how he became aggressive in front of benefits advisors before telling a security guard he was going to hurt him.

Wilson, of Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich, denied charges of using threatening behaviour but was found guilty at the court yesterday.

Nigel Gilbert, prosecuting, said: "That afternoon he went into the job centre and became very enraged. He intimidated and threatened staff and the police were called to remove him.

"He returned an hour later and police arrested him."

The court heard how Wilson walked up to an advisor and threw his briefcase on her desk.

He paced the floor while talking to her about not getting his benefits and started waving his arms in the air and shouting when he spoke to her.

Peter Broad, a security officer, went over and asked him to sit down.

Wilson, who defended himself during the trial, said: "Maybe I did not want to sit down because I had a problem with my knees and it hurt to sit down."

Mr Broad said: "He shouted at me that I was just a boy and he was going to hurt me. I was very intimidated and genuinely concerned for my personal safety at that point."

In summing up Wilson said: "I went to the job centre because they owed me money and I had wolves at the door.

"I did not intend to intimidate, threaten or be abusive to anyone."

District judge David Cooper said: "I don't think you are always aware of what a powerful personality you have. I am not surprised these people felt threatened. Obviously if you say to someone you are going to hurt them I think they would feel threatened. Mr Broad was concerned for his personal safety which I am not surprised and therefore I find you guilty of threatening behaviour."

Wilson was sentenced to a conditional discharge for three years.

He is already serving a three-year prison sentence for breaching a restraining order preventing him from harassing his ex-girlfriend.