A FATHER who watched his friend die from a heart attack went on a drink-fuelled binge that ended with him telling armed officers he had a knife and bomb.

James Brown had been staying at a house in Bicester with Adrian Hyslop when his friend died there in November.

Prosecutor Francis Lloyd told Oxford Crown Court yesterday how the father-of-four later returned to the house in Purslane Drive to find it sealed off, so he broke in through a back window.

Mr Lloyd said when the police arrived to eject him 43-year-old Brown threatened them, saying he had a knife and a bomb.

"He refused to leave and said 'it will take an army to get me out'."

Judge Ian Pringle said Brown had an "interesting criminal past" from his time growing up in Northern Ireland during the troubles.

He added: "When officers went to the property you threatened them with what was in fact a ruler, so the firearms squad were called.

"The street had to be cordoned off because you indicated you had a bomb.

"This was the drink speaking – there was no knife, there was no bomb, but the disruption to the public was enormous."

Mr Lloyd said that nearly three weeks later Brown turned up drunk at St Aldate's Police Station and demanded help finding somewhere to live, but then tried to break into a home in nearby Faulkner Street when he discovered the homeless shelter was full.

Brown admitted affray, criminal damage to the door and being found in an enclosed premises.

Kevin Batch, defending, said the crimes stemmed from the "tragedy" of Brown's friend dying in front of him.

He added: "He is deeply ashamed of his unfortunate behaviour to the police on that occasion."

Judge Pringle jailed Brown for 12 months.