Staff at a North East MP's office were left terrified when a frustrated visitor hit a window with a garden ornament and spat at a protective screen.
Dylan Thompson turned up at the constituency office of South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck to seek help over housing issues.
Staff were keen to help but told him it was a matter the local council needed to sort out, sparking an angry reaction.
Go here for the latest crime news and breaking North East police updates
A court heard Thompson began to shout and swear, spat two or three times and used the ornament, covered in fairy lights. to hit a window.
The Labour MP's principle secretary, Anne Best, was left terrified and suffering chest pains and office manager Simon Buck said they have had to be extra vigilant.
Newcastle Crown Court heard it happened on November 16 last year around 2pm.
Rachel Glover, prosecuting, said: "He came across as frustrated and vulnerable and said he was homeless.
"A member of staff said they couldn't help him get a bed but that they would contact the council on his behalf.
"He demanded a safe house and started to shout and swear and threatened to go to the papers.
"He spat at a plastic protective screen two or three times as he left.
"He had hold of a wooden garden ornament and hit the window once and walked off."
In a victim impact statement, Ms Best said she was disappointed she had been unable to help him but added: "The abuse caused me to feel frightened.
"I suffered chest pain afterwards and I was worried this was a problem with my heart caused by the anxiety."
Officer manager Mr Buck added that he was concerned and worried Thompson might return.
He added: "In the current environment, we have to be vigilant and will have to be extra vigilant now."
Thompson pleaded guilty to attempted criminal damage, a public order offence and possessing cannabis.
Sign up to our newsletter for the latest crime and court news in the North East
Just four days earlier he had admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and theft after stealing from a Costa coffee shop in Darlington and biting and headbutting a member of staff who chased and challenged him.
Thompson, who has a total of 67 previous convictions, was jailed for a total of 22 weeks.
Robin Turton, defending, said: "There are underlying problems in his life and he is vulnerable.
"He has a number of mental health issues which he self-medicates for with alcohol, usually drinking six litres of cider a day."
Mr Turton said Thompson had called at the MPs office after being "targeted" at his address, with others "preying on him" and putting his windows out.
