A troubled homeless man told an police constable “There will be clear daylight between now and the time I put a bullet in your head”, a court was told.

Philip Sweetman, of no fixed abode, admitted threatening behaviour when he appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court.

Prosecutor Ian Devine said the incident occurred around lunchtime on Monday at the Ipswich Resource Centre in Black Horse Lane.

Two members of staff, a male and a female, were on reception duty when Sweetman tried to gain entry to the building. However, the court was told the 39-year-old was already banned from the premises due to his previous behaviour.

The male member of staff explained the position to Sweetman, who initially appeared to be calm.

The worker then shut the door and walked away.

Mr Devine said Sweetman then became very aggressive and his behaviour changed dramatically.

The court was told he said ‘look at that smirk - do I have to remember you’.

Sweetman then banged his bag on the door.

Police were called and when an officer arrived the court was told Sweetman said to him: “There will be clear daylight between now and the time I put a bullet in your head.”

Magistrates heard Sweetman had 49 previous convictions, the last of which was in February this year for being drunk and disorderly.

David Allan, representing Sweetman said his client was arrested outside the magistrates court as he had come to see him.

Sweetman had been sleeping rough in a makeshift tent in woodland until Sunday.

When he went to the resource centre he had no belongings and the staff were not helpful, the court was told.

Sweetman, who interrupted the court during sentencing shouting that he had been trying to get treatment for PTSD for six years, was fined £120.

However, after he was calmed down Sweetman was told his one day in custody was deemed as time served in lieu, but he must also pay £20 to the victims’ fund.