A DRUNK who threatened to petrol-bomb a hostel for homeless people has walked free from court after he was told by a judge he was being given a last chance.

Steven Watson became involved in an early-morning argument that had nothing to do with him outside the Bridge Street hostel, in Stockton, during the summer.

Watson, from nearby Billingham, screamed threats at terrified deputy manager Christine Preen, who had been trying to resolve the dispute among others.

Watson, 32, yelled that he would return later that night to “petrolbomb this place”.

Gale Gilchrist, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that Ms Preen felt scared and intimidated by Watson’s behaviour and believed he would carry out his vows.

Watson was the subject of a suspended jail sentence of 13 weeks when he made his threats on June 24, and admitted a charge of threatening to destroy property.

He had the length of the suspension extended by four months and was given a 12-month community order by Judge Les Spittle, who also ordered him to undergo Probation Service supervision.

The judge also ordered him to undergo ten sessions of an employment and training programme, and take part in a project to address his alcohol problem.

He told Watson that if he offended again he would be locked up, and said: “This is a chance to build on your progress and address the underlying issue.”

Peter Wishlade, in mitigation, told the court that Watson had passed a number of City and Guilds courses in the past 12 months and that he was keen to stay out of trouble.

He said: “He is not a man without intelligence. He is just extremely stupid and lacking in common sense... this was a ridiculous, drunken threat.”