A VIOLENT man who repeatedly threatened to kill his neighbour while trying to stab him with a sword was locked up for three years.

Alan Smith was alseep in bed when he awoke to discover Christopher Murray had smashed the bedroom window of his flat in Hume Close, Tilbury, and was trying to climb in.

Murray, 53, was also waving a Samurai sword and shouting: "You nonce, I am going to kill you."

The terrified man, who recognised Murray as his neighbour, grabbed his mattress and used it as a shield to protect himself as the defendant continued to stab the mattress and hurl further threats.

Murray, who has a catalogue of previous convictions for violence offences including wounding with intent, robbery, harassment and assault, was arrested at the scene but he was so aggressive police were unable to interview him until later.

At Basildon Crown Court today Judge Rupert Overbury told Murray he was a danger to the public and said: "On April 18 you behaved in an extremely violence way towards a neighbour of yours.

"You are now 53 years of age and you have a horrendous criminal record going back to 1966.

"You are what can properly be described as a violent individual."

Murray pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to making threats to kill and criminal damage.