Nottingham Joker 'lookalike' in angry court outburst

Damien Hammond, 29, is widely recognised around Nottingham for donning make-up and costumes modelled on the Joker

A self-styled Joker lookalike who aped the comic book villain's appearance to "induce fear into members of the public and retail staff" has been jailed.

Damien Hammond, 29, is widely recognised around Nottingham for donning make-up and costumes modelled on Batman's arch-nemesis.

He admitted a series of offences, described as a "crime wave" by police, committed over a three-month period.

As he was led from the dock, he shouted "I will kill today".

Appearing at Nottingham Magistrates' Court with bright green hair, Hammond, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and obstructing a police officer.

He was jailed after admitting eight offences, including disorderly conduct towards staff in branches of Tesco Express and Shoe Zone.

'See what you have done'

He also admitted disorderly conduct for waving a gun-shaped cigarette lighter while standing among traffic.

Hammond had been calm throughout the hearing, even giving a thumbs-up when his make-up was described as representing the Jack Nicholson version of Batman's nemesis.

Hammond modelled his make-up on Jack Nicholson and appeared in court with green hair

But he reacted with anger when presiding magistrate Dr Janet Ellis told him he was to receive an 11-week sentence.

He shouted from the dock: "Send me to prison, I don't care."

He then vowed to stab prison officers and fellow inmates once his jail sentence began.

"See what you have done, I will kill today!" he added.

Jeff Surgay, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: "The defendant's criminal conduct involving intimidating retail staff and disorderly conduct towards police officers, in one case striking an officer to the forehead whilst obstructing a drugs search, has been conducted over a prolonged period of time.

"That, together with him altering his appearance to resemble 'The Joker' appears to be calculated to induce fear into members of the public and retail staff in the city centre."

Hammond was told he must also serve an 18-week sentence which had previously been suspended, and made the subject of a three-year behaviour order banning him from areas of central Nottingham.