A MAN with a grudge against public servants threatened a chief officer at Kidderminster's Benefits' Agency, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Peter Collins made insulting phone calls to Valerie Upton.

He also went to Kidderminster Hospital to distribute leaflets detailing personal information about psychiatrist Dr Robert Ireland, said Nicolas Cartwright, prosecuting.

The doctor called police after Collins refused to leave and officers found he was carrying a flick knife.

Collins, 44, of Flint Close, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to harassing Mrs Upton and possession of an offensive weapon. He denied common assault on Dr Ireland and the charge was left to lie on the prosecution file.

The defendant, who changed his plea to guilty after a jury trial had begun, was freed on bail by Recorder Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC for a report by a psychiatrist. He was told sentence could be passed on Friday.

Collins was ordered to live with his parents in Grange Road, Kidderminster, and keep away from Kidderminster Hospital and the Benefits' Agency.

Mr Cartwright told the recorder that Judge Michael Mott refused Collins bail last month after a doctor reported there was evidence of "escalating action" in his persecution ideas.

The court heard that he made threatening calls to Mrs Upton, between November 29 last year and January 11 this year.

Mr Cartwright said Mrs Upton had many dealings with Collins in the 1990s and he was banned from the offices because of his behaviour.

Collins had been diagnosed as having a paranoid personality but returned to Kidderminster Hospital on March 21 to distribute leaflets about Dr Ireland.

The doctor told Collins to leave but he was pushed and grabbed by the throat, said Mr Cartwright. The knife was found in his pocket although he had not tried to use it.

Defence counsel John Sawyer said Collins was a well-educated man with a disability. While in custody he had twice been assaulted by other inmates.

Mr Sawyer said he had not accepted treatment in the past after "disappointing experiences" with agencies. But with counselling his position might change.