A MAN who shouted to his neighbours that he would hire a hitman to put a "bullet in their heads" has told a court: "I don't know any hitmen."

Andy Hood, of St Swithuns Road in Bournemouth, was arrested on October 3 after he threatened "scared" residents.

One of his neighbours heard the defendant "banging" on the walls of his flat and shouting: "**** is about to go down."

She told him to be quiet, but he then told her: "A hitman is going to kill you all.

"People are going to get a bullet in their heads."

On Friday, Hood, 46, appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court to admit using threatening. abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence and being in breach of a suspended sentence imposed in February for criminal damage and battery.

Prosecuting, Lee Turner said many of Hood's neighbours gathered together in one flat after he made the threats.

"All were in fear of what the defendant was going to do," Mr Turner said.

"Police found the defendant drunk. He was shouting obscenities."

However, after his arrest Hood apologised to officers for using "rude language", the court heard.

The defendant, who was not represented, said: "I've been struggling quite a lot mentally.

"I've been refused access twice to a mental health team because of alcohol."

He said there have been no issues with his neighbours since the incident.

"I don't know any hitmen," he said.

"I have been really struggling and I've got a lot of people trying to help me."

Hood was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge for the offence.

A community order made in February was also extended for six months, and Hood was told he must complete a further seven rehabilitation activity requirement days.