A Maidstone man shouted "I hope you die of womb cancer" at an estate agent during an argument, a court heard.

Police were called to Your Move in Tonbridge Road three times over three days to deal with Mark Sanders.

The 48-year-old first went in on October 22 – one day after receiving a conditional discharge for a racially aggravated incident.

He took issue with branch manager Sarina Lodge about an Afro-Caribbean family who moved in next door to him.

He made expletive-laden, racist comments telling her: "You'd better tell them I have an ASBO.”

Sanders, of Glebe Lane, Barming, was told to leave, but he then loudly made the cancer comment.

"I hope you die of womb cancer" - Mark Sanders

Police warned him to stay away from Your Move, but he returned the next day.

Sarah Worsley, prosecuting, told Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court he made slitting throat gestures towards Miss Lodge, telling her, "you'd better watch your back" and "keep smiling, it is only going to get worse".

Miss Lodge’s victim impact statement, read to the court on Tuesday, said: "This had a massive impact.

"While I am in my office I keep the door locked. When I go out to an appointment I find myself checking around me. One day I felt so anxious about returning to work I was physically sick."

Defending, Debbie Slater said Sanders, who suffered a mental breakdown 10 years ago, accepted going to the agents but had no recollection of using abusive or racist language. He pleaded guilty to harassment without violence.

Miss Slater said Sanders was angry as he believed the branch gave him a "dodgy" business card and Miss Lodge failed to attend a scheduled appointment.

The court heard Sanders, who moved to Kent from London last year, had trouble transferring his mental health care programme. He had been diagnosed with a personality disorder and behaviour issues.

Magistrates handed Sanders 42 days’ custody, suspended for 18 months and a community order with 40 days rehabilitation requirement. He was also given a curfew to remain at home between 5pm and 7pm and must pay £365.