A terrified motorist was carjacked by a drunk brandishing a Samurai sword.

Stephen James was driving to a tennis lesson in Brighton when Clark Walker jumped into his car as it slowed in traffic.

Walker, 21, who had been to a schoolfriend's funeral that day, drew the sword and ordered the driver to take him across the city.

When they arrived at the address of a friend, Walker got out and Mr James drove off.

He went to his tennis lesson but later contacted police and Walker was arrested.

At Lewes Crown Court Walker admitted kidnap and was jailed for four years.

Walton Hornsby, prosecuting, told the court Walker's drunken behaviour had come to the attention of the police several times after he attended a close friend's funeral on September 6 last year.

At one point during the day police warned him about his conduct before driving him home. But in the early evening Walker got into Mr James's car as he was driving along Ditchling Road.

Mr James told Walker he was in a rush but Walker refused to get out and ordered the driver to various streets in the Lewes Road area.

During the journey Walker drew the sword out of the waistband of his jeans and revealed the blade.

Mr James later told police he was petrified and shaking.

When they stopped outside a house and Walker got out to speak to a friend, he told Mr James to wait for him but Mr James drove off.

Mr Hornsby said: "The incident lasted for about 20 minutes and left Mr James feeling shaken and quite sick from the shock.

"He had his tennis lesson but he was in some shock and was advised to go to the police." The court heard Walker, of Bromley Road, Brighton, has previous convictions for violence and dishonesty.

Jeffrey Lamb, defending, said: "When Mr Walker is not in drink he is a very pleasant young man but, unfortunately, he is a young man who drinks to excess far too often.

"While on remand he has been seeking help to rid him of these demons."

He said Walker was upset that day because he had been to the funeral of a 22-year-old schoolfriend who had died of complications relating to alcohol abuse.

Mr Lamb said: "He was wandering the streets in a drunken daze before getting into Mr James's car. He has no recollection of the events whatsoever.

"He now realises he has got a problem with drink. He is extremely sorry for what he has done. "

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall told Walker he was jailing him for the protection of the public. He said Walker must have terrified his victim as he forced his way into Mr James's car while armed with the Samurai sword.

The judge said: "Here was somebody in a car going to a tennis lesson when he has the unenviable privilege of having you force your way into his life."