A TROUBLED 51-year-old man high on drugs ranted at children and their parents on their way to a school in Worcester, a court heard.

Alan Jenkins stumbled around the playground at Cherry Orchard Primary School shouting abuse at groups of children and threatened parents before slamming his fists against fencing.

Jenkins admitted charges of possessing amphetamines, a Class B drug, and using words or behaviour that could cause harrassment, alarm or distress when he appeared before the city's magistrates.

Sarah Stock, prosecuting, said witnesses first saw Jenkins closely follow a group of children walking between Bath Road and Battenhall Road at about 8.40am on Monday, June 18.

Ms Stock said Jenkins then started to shout at the children incomprehensibly before turning his attentions to a 14-year-old girl.

"He started to shout and gesticulate at her in an erratic manner," she said.

A few minutes later he confronted parents at the primary school in Timberdine Close.

Ms Stock said one witness quickly got into her car because Jenkins looked like he wanted to fight somebody.

"He threatened her," she said. "She said they were staring at each other through the window but she felt like he was looking through her."

Ms Stock said Jenkins then started to hit the school's fencing and thrashing his arms about. Police officers were called to the scene and Jenkins, of Sebright Avenue, Red Hill, Worcester, was arrested.

In mitigation Brian O'Connell said his client turned to drugs because his brother had died.

"He is developing an amphetamine habit which is unfortunate at his age," he said.

"He couldn't remember what he said or what he had done. He was out of control and he accpets that.

"It was unusual behaviour. When he was arrested he wasn't fit to be interviewed for some six hours later. His mind was racing. He was seeing and hearing thing that quite simply were not there.

"He has had some difficulties in his personal life and has had a recent bereavement. While many people might've had a drink he chose amphetamines which, far from calming him down, sent him completely over the top."

Worcester magistrates sentenced Jenkins to a 12-month community order with a supervision requirement and made to pay £60 court costs. The amphetamines have been confiscated and destroyed.