A Surbiton man who spent the night in custody after a thirty minute spell hurling abuse at neighbours and random people returning from work has been handed a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to using threatening behaviour.

Neighbours called the police after David Edwards, 34, of The Avenue played music very loudly, opened and slammed windows and shouted insulting words at around 7pm on Monday, May 17, making them fear violence would be used against them.

John Shepherd, prosecuting, said: “The witness said in her statement that he was trying to draw attention to himself. He made threats to kill another resident Jill Patterson who lives in the flats also. There has been a history of problems between Mr Edwards and other residents.”

Mr Shepherd told Kingston magistrates on Wednesday, May 19 that police smelled alcohol when they detained him.

Defending, Ovais Kadri admitted Edwards had problems with his neighbours, and said: “He is a single man who has been living at this place for the last few years and is desperately trying to get out of the place.

“He does not have any drug or drink problems and accepts he had been drinking. There is no suggestion there was any violence.”

Lead magistrate Annette Reardon said although he had committed previous offences he had a clean record since 2001, and said: “We have taken into account that your previous offending was nine or 10 years ago and that this incident is a long time after the last one.

“You are not being punished for this matter today but if you do not stay out of trouble for the next 12 months you can be dealt with for that and this matter.”