A REDDITCH man who breached an antisocial behaviour order was warned by a judge he faced a life sentence if he kept on offending.

Shaun Walsh intimidated a couple near their home in Winyates Centre and tried to goad Selina Griffiths' boyfriend into a fight, Worcester Crown Court was told last Tuesday.

A police officer sent to arrest him on September 5 said he was "playing the hard man" as the violent situation spiralled out of control.

Redditch magistrates had made the indefinite ASBO in May 2004 to stop Walsh's acts of harassment, fighting in public and damaging property, said prosecutor Neil Chawla.

Walsh, aged 20, of Church Road, Redditch, had been receiving medical help for three years after hearing voices, threatening suicide and aggression.

His barrister, Malcolm Morse, said jail would not help his condition after "a long history of behavioural disturbance".

Judge David McEvoy said: "He's going to end up getting life imprisonment or be jailed to protect the public."

But he said the point had not yet been reached where Walsh was a public danger and he must continue his treatment.

The judge also gave him a two-year community rehabilitation order and told him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. Walsh admitted breach of an ASBO.

Mr Chawla said Walsh was with a group involved in an altercation with the couple as they walked home in the early hours.

An object was hurled at their dog and a bottle smashed in their doorway.

Miss Griffiths' boyfriend armed himself with a knife, causing Walsh to become agitated. He was found to have breached an ASBO four times in the past.

Mr Morse said his uncontrollable and violent conduct "reeked of psychosis" but doctors had said he was not yet treatable.