A Southend man who threatened to kill his own mother if she didn't pay him thousands of pounds has been jailed for four months.

David John Aitkin, 25, went to his mother Georgina Aitkin's home in Southend on July 22 and scrawled on the garden shed door: "You're dead."

Aitkin, who also damaged a window, called her later that day and demanded money or else he said he would harm her and the family.

"I want £5,500 because you ruined my life," he said. "If you don't give me the money I will kill you and family members."

Prosecutor Peter Baker told Southend magistrates Mrs Aitkin informed the police, who then arrested her son.

Sentencing him, magistrate Linda Young three magistrates in total, she was the chairman told Aitkins, of Quantock Flats, Chichester Road: "You threatened to kill your own mother and family members. You are completely unco-operative with agencies. And there is a likelihood of you reoffending."

Aitkin pleaded guilty to criminal damage, threatening and abusive behaviour, and making a menacing message via phone. He was sentenced to four months' prison for each of the offences to run concurrently.

Paul Whight, representing him, said Aitkin had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.