A 47-YEAR-OLD man who made threats regarding explosives to a housing provider in front of a district judge has been jailed for two years.

Christopher Clapham, of Stamford Road in Blacon, Chester, was jailed at Chester Crown Court on Friday, October 19, after earlier pleading guilty to communicating false information about a bomb hoax with intent and sending offensive electronic messages.

Clapham appeared at Chester County Court on Monday, July 2 after Sanctuary Housing launched eviction proceedings against him due to the flat he was renting being kept in a poor condition over a period of four years.

After the district judge ruled in the housing provider's favour and evicted Clapham from the property, he reacted angrily in court.

Clapham threatened the housing provider with the words: "See what happens when you attend – I've explosives at the house" before leaving the court.

Posts on Clapham's Facebook later that day made further veiled threats towards the housing provider, with him 'wishing their office buildings would go up in smoke'.

On one post, Clapham said: "Judge wouldn't listen 2 me so I threw a chair at him then told him that 2 get me out of the flat they will av 2 put me in a bodybag & I will take sum of them with me so if ur reading the sanctuary then tough ****".

A subsequent post read: "im so p***** off & stressed coz of sanctuary housing I wish their office buildings would go up in smoke just like Grenfell now that's 1 bonfire I would like 2 c."

Police were informed and Clapham was arrested at his Blacon home on the same day.

Upon searching the property officers found what appeared to be an improvised explosive device.

Bomb disposal experts were called to the address and neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution.

The device was later confirmed to be non-viable.

Police Constable Robert Marshall said: "Although Clapham claims that he made his remarks through anger and never intended on carrying out his threats, he still caused fear and intimidation.

"All Clapham had to do was adhere to the rules of the housing provider. Instead he chose to ignore them and is now facing the consequences of his actions with a two-year prison sentence."

On top of his custodial sentence Clapham was ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge.