Angry spice addict stole Samurai sword and used it smash windows of house in Armley during revenge attack after his drugs went missing

Gino Clark carried out the wrecking spree at a house on Paisley Place, Armley, the day after going to a party at the property.

Leeds Crown Court heard Clark was an acquaintance of a man whose partner lives at the property.

Clark went to a party at the house on July 19 this year and returned the next day to collect some of his belongings which he had left there.

Graham O'Sullivan, prosecuting, said Clark became angry when he could not find his things and believed someone had stolen drugs from him.

He then took the sword which belonged to the homeowner and used it to smash the upstairs and downstairs windows, causing £800 worth of damage.

Clark then left the house with the weapon but dropped it on nearby Oban Street and walked away.

Mr Sullivan said Clark later contacted the woman on Facebook and sent her messages.

One message stated: "You are getting your house burned down. See what happens. You are going to have nowt left when I've finished."

In another message Clark wrote: "You robbed me, tramp. Taking my s*** on the sly."

The prosecutor said: "She denied taking anything from him but he did appear to have something on his mind about drugs being taken.

"It seems to be the explanation as to why he did what he did."

Clark, of no fixed address, denied causing the damage after he was arrested and claimed the sword was made of plastic.

He pleaded guilty to theft, criminal damage and possession of a bladed article in public.

He has previous convictions for assault, robbery, burglary and criminal damage.

Richard Reed, mitigating, said his client had been to a party at the house the previous day.

"It caused him to lose his temper.

"He has got a borderline personality disorder and suffers from extreme anger.

"He grabbed the sword to damage the windows and walked out with the sword."

Mr Reed said his client accepted that he had overreacted and was sorry for what he had done.

The barrister said Clark's mental health issues were made worse by his addiction to the drug spice.

Mr Reed said Clark been using the drug since 2014 but had not taken it while in custody since his arrest.

He added: "Spice is his Achilles' heel."

Clark was made the subject of a 12-month community order.

He must take part in a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Judge Christopher Batty said: "You have a record of losing your temper

"What you did to (the victim's) property is unacceptable. That is her home.

"I take the view that that is what this was all about. It wasn't about getting a weapon.

"You got rid of the weapon thereafter.

"I am going to give you a chance to get some help from the probation service."

Clark was also made the subject of a restraining order banning him from contacting the victim or entering Paisley Place for the next five years.