A BARE-CHESTED knifeman high on cocaine ran through people’s homes claiming someone was trying to kill him.

Matthew Welham caused terror as he burst into people’s homes unannounced in Portslade.

The 32-year-old claimed to have been robbed and attacked, and in his panic went door to door clutching a knife.

One resident went to the door expecting to see a family friend only to be greeted with Welham, who kicked his way into the house in front of children.

After invading homes in Warrior Close, Elder Close and Brackenbury Close, Welham was later found by police who used captor spray.

When they tried to use the Taser on him, he grabbed the prongs and flinged them off, but eventually he collapsed.

Matthew Welham admitted affray in Portslade during a terrifying rampage

Matthew Welham admitted affray in Portslade during a terrifying rampage

He spent six weeks in a coma and nearly died, and could remember none of the incident.

At Hove Crown Court the father-of-three admitted affray and was given a one year suspended prison sentence.

Will Martin, prosecuting, said the chaos unfolded over a 30 minute period in January 2019.

“He was at his sister’s address and remembered drinking and taking cocaine,” the prosecutor said. “One resident reported hearing bangs and a smashing noise in her kitchen, and finding Welham there with no top on despite it being very cold outside.

“He had smashed a back door window, and the resident was, understandably, screaming ‘what are you doing?’”

The chaos continued as residents sat down to get their dinner. Welham told one resident: “They are trying to kill me.”

Then he later told another: “They are trying to poison me and knife me.”

Mr Martin said: “He kicked open one door, and the force swung the door into a woman’s jaw, she was terrified and tried to get him out.”

Others described Welham, of Myrtle Road, Exeter, as having “eyes glaring open”.

Peta-Louise Baggott, defending, said her client remembered losing his top in a fight and thought he had been robbed.

The case was heard at Hove Crown Court

The case was heard at Hove Crown Court

He suffered multiple organ failure and was in a coma for 64 days. After the incident he has permanent nerve damage and has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress, leaving him no longer able to work.

His Honour Judge Stephen Mooney said: “My suspicion is that it was what you were taking that led to the feeling of psychosis.

“You terrified innocent members of the public.”

Welham was ordered to complete 40 rehabilitation sessions with the probation service as part of the suspended sentence.