A JUDGE has spoken out about the impact of modern warfare on soldiers' behaviour after hearing how a former serviceman threatened to kill staff at a York mental health unit.

James Mayo subjected staff at the unit, in Union Terrace, to a terrifying ordeal during which he also said he hoped to be shot dead himself by armed police.

At the time, he was already subject to two court orders imposed to control his behaviour.

But Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC decided not to lock up Mayo, saying he needed help and that he was "very impressed" by his efforts in serving his country.

He said: "It is one of a series of cases of soldiers in front line regiments who have found themselves involved in scenes of the most horrific violence on behalf of their country, seeing their friends blown apart, and who have developed later in life anti-social tendencies which stand at odds with their training and character," the judge said.

"I think everyone is beginning to realise there is a causal connection."

Mayo, 40, of Highlands Avenue, Strensall, pleaded guilty to affray and assault.

"He is an ex-soldier with a mental illness who was making a cry for help," the judge said. "If he is prepared to give his assurance to me he will put his efforts into the order, his best effort into the order, I propose that I will give him an opportunity to prove my judgement right."

He gave Mayo a nine-month sentence, suspended for two years on condition he does 150 hours' unpaid work, a four-month nightly curfew and two years' supervision including an anger management course and alcohol rehabilitation. He must also take his medicine for his mental illness.

York Crown Court heard that Mayo punched secretarial worker Deirdre Luxton in the face when she opened the door for him at the community mental health unit at 3.20pm on July 2. Her screams alerted other staff.

Inside the building, Mayo threatened: "I am going to kill all of you," and "None of you will get out of here alive". He reached for his waistband behind him as though for a weapon as he said: "I will shoot you" and "I am not afraid to die - are you?". He was unarmed.

Two members of staff hid in offices during the 25-minute ordeal before police arrived.

Mayo told them he hoped armed officers would shoot him as he had nothing to live for.

David Bradshaw, for Mayo, said psychiatrists had declared he was not so ill that he needed to be in hospital and that the problems arose when he did not take his medication.