A TEENAGER who said he was going to shoot people at a mosque the day after 50 Muslims were killed in a terrorist attack has avoided jail.

John Thursting called Iman Ahmad Habib - the leader of Colchester Mosque in Priory Street - a day after a gunman opened fire on worshippers in Christchurch, New Zealand.

During the chilling call, the teenager said: “Just to let you know I am coming down there tomorrow to shoot you all.”

He admitted sending an electronic communication conveying a threatening message for the purpose of causing distress or alarm.

At the time of the call, Thursting had been drinking heavily.

A previous hearing heard he never intended to carry out the threat and he did not hold anti-Islamic views.

The 19-year-old was initially remanded in custody but was granted bail - effectively on house arrest at his home in The Green, Tendring, - so his mental health could be assessed.

He has been confirmed to be suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is undergoing treatment.

Sasha Bailey, mitigating, said Thursting was desperate to avoid jail and had an offer of work with a family member if he avoided custody.

She said: “He spent two months in HMP Chelmsford and it was a stark realisation for him that it is somewhere he does not want to return to.

“He has a real offer of work to start almost immediately as a roofer.

“He is certainly somebody who would benefit from a structured day.”

The Probation Service endorsed a mental health treatment programme for Thursting.

At Chelmsford Crown Court, Judge Charles Gratwicke said the call was “nasty and cowardly” but suspended a jail term because of Thursting’s age.

He said: “People who behave in the way that you did cause immense problems.

“The recipient is distressed quite understandably and the community at large is distressed.

“This kind of behaviour cannot be tolerated. It cannot and it will not.

“What you are doing is striking out at the very social fabric that binds this country and our communities together.

“You have spent some time in prison and let that be a lesson to you and any other people who may want to behave in this way.”

Thursting was jailed for eight months, but the sentence was suspended for two years.

He must attend medical appointments when required and attend 30 rehabilitation days.

Judge Gratwicke added: “If you breach this order it will be back to prison.

“You have got an opportunity now to get the treatment you require.

“Although this court is sympathetic of that - it cannot excuse the way you acted.”