A man shouted abuse at a caretaker in his supported living accommodation in Bury, wielded a knife and caused criminal damage to the property.

Mark Whelan was staying in supported living on Mill House on Mill Road at the time of the incident on July 31 this year, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

William Donnelly, prosecuting, said that a Mill House caretaker was working on that day when he heard a noise in the corridor outside the flat that was occupied by Whelan.

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Whelan, 24, slammed doors and shouted abuse at the caretaker who remained calm and contacted the other residents to stay out of the way before contacting the police.

Mr Donnelly said: “The caretaker said her was scared and terrified as he’s a lone worker and was concerned about Whelan’s behaviour.”

Police attended and Whelan stabbed some of the doors of other residents with a knife but did not threaten anyone personally.

Keith Jones, defending, said Whelan has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and anxiety and has problems with substance and alcohol misuse.

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Mr Jones said: “He has no rationale for his actions in a communal area and his suicidal thoughts he had at the time made him lash out at the property.”

Mr Jones added that no threats were made to an individual and the aggression was directed at the building, which caused approximately £2,000 worth of damage.

Whelan has a realistic possibility of rehabilitation, the court was told.

Whelan, of Mill Road, Bury, was sentenced for affray, criminal damage and possession of a knife after pleading guilty to the charges. 

Judge Jason Macadam said: “You were obviously having some sort of psychotic episode. Although you knew what you were doing, you were suffering from delusions.”

Whelan was sentenced to eight months, half of which will be served in custody and the other half in the community.