A REDDITCH man in jail for threatening to blow up a block of flats in the town has been freed by a judge at Worcester Crown Court.

Dean Tambling, aged 27, and formerly of Winslow Close, had been jailed for 21 months in October last year after admitting criminal damage and threatening to cause damage by fire.

When police were called to the flats, Tambling held a plastic bag containing nails through the letterbox and claimed he had gunpowder.

He had also pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Todd MacDonald with a golf club.

On another occasion he had caused major traffic disruption by threatening to jump off a motorway bridge.

Judge Christopher Plunkett said Tambling had an "awful" criminal record but he was prepared to give him a chance by imposing a three-year community order.

This means that Tambling must live in a hostel approved by the probation service and undertake mental treatment required by the health authorities.

The judge said he had a duty to protect the public but had been assured that there would be no risk if Tambling complied with his restrictions.

He warned him: "If you do not, I will lock you up."