INTERNET trolls caused a “paranoid” rapper to arm himself with a poker disguised as a walking stick and threaten three men in the street, a court heard.

Tyrone Castello, 40, was arrested just after Christmas for brandishing the pointed weapon during a row in Queen’s Road, Southend.

Basildon Crown Court heard how Castello, of Trinity Avenue, Southend, is a grime artist who self-publishes his own recordings online and is on the verge of “making it”.

But Emma Jones, prosecuting, told the court how Castello has served 17 years in prison for a string of offences, including two counts of possessing a knife, grievous bodily harm and robbery.

She said: “The witness reported seeing an exchange of words between the four males. The male with the walking stick was shouting ‘come on then big man, fight me if you think you can’.

“There was some further discussion and then the male with the walking stick unsheathed it and held it in front of him. She stated she was conscious that there were a number of shoppers and children around and it was quite busy. She said that she was a little bit shaken by the incident.”

Castello initially denied involvement but admitted possession of an offensive weapon earlier this month.

Johan Grefstad, mitigating, said Castello has been out of trouble for two years and recently became a father, but efforts to break free from the gang lifestyle had caused problems.

He said: “Because of his new found fame in the music industry he has become a target for internet trolls. He has received serious threats against himself and his family. This has led to a sense of paranoia, which has led to the commission of this offence.

“He’s on the cusp of making it in the music industry and the lengthy period of custody that he faces will add to his heartache at being away from his young family.”

Last month, Castello, who goes by the stage name Red Rum, appeared on Channel 5 documentary Inside the Gang, talking about his experiences in London gangs and his efforts to make it as a rapper.

He told filmmakers: “I wasted 17 years cos I went to prison. In and out for most of my life. I wonder how deep my demons really are. Sometimes I wonder what is it I’m dealing with.”

Judge David Owen-Jones jailed Castello for one year and nine months.