Staff at a North East MP's office were left terrified when a frustrated visitor hit a window with a garden ornament and spat at a protective screen.
Dylan Thompson turned up at the constituency office of South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck to seek help over housing issues.
Staff were keen to help but told him it was a matter the local council needed to sort out, sparking an angry reaction.
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A court heard Thompson began to shout and swear, spat two or three times and used the ornament, covered in fairy lights. to hit a window.
The Labour MP's principle secretary, Anne Best, was left terrified and suffering chest pains and office manager Simon Buck said they have had to be extra vigilant.
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Newcastle Crown Court heard it happened on November 16 last year around 2pm.
Rachel Glover, prosecuting, said: "He came across as frustrated and vulnerable and said he was homeless.
"A member of staff said they couldn't help him get a bed but that they would contact the council on his behalf.
"He demanded a safe house and started to shout and swear and threatened to go to the papers.
"He spat at a plastic protective screen two or three times as he left.
"He had hold of a wooden garden ornament and hit the window once and walked off."
In a victim impact statement, Ms Best said she was disappointed she had been unable to help him but added: "The abuse caused me to feel frightened.
"I suffered chest pain afterwards and I was worried this was a problem with my heart caused by the anxiety."
Officer manager Mr Buck added that he was concerned and worried Thompson might return.
He added: "In the current environment, we have to be vigilant and will have to be extra vigilant now."
Thompson pleaded guilty to attempted criminal damage, a public order offence and possessing cannabis.
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Just four days earlier he had admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and theft after stealing from a Costa coffee shop in Darlington and biting and headbutting a member of staff who chased and challenged him.
Thompson, who has a total of 67 previous convictions, was jailed for a total of 22 weeks.
Robin Turton, defending, said: "There are underlying problems in his life and he is vulnerable.
"He has a number of mental health issues which he self-medicates for with alcohol, usually drinking six litres of cider a day."
Mr Turton said Thompson had called at the MPs office after being "targeted" at his address, with others "preying on him" and putting his windows out.