An axe-wielding man who launched a terrifying attack at Lincoln's City Hall targeted the wrong council, a court heard.

Lincoln magistrates heard Daniel Seaman, 28, had a grudge against a local authority after being abused while in care as a child.

But instead of carrying out his rampage of destruction on offices at Lincolnshire County Council – the authority in charge of social services – he armed himself with an axe and conducted his frenzied attack at the City of Lincoln Council's offices.

Appearing in court yesterday, Seaman, of Birchwood, Lincoln, admitted criminal damage, affray and common assault by punching a member of council staff in the face.

Seaman went in to the Property Shop on Friday and started smashing furniture and windows with his axe.

Staff working at the authority were said to be "cowering" behind locked doors.

The attack only ended when the head fell off his axe, the court heard.

Nick Todd, prosecuting, said: "He claims that when he was in care, he was subjected to abuse and blames the council for that."

Seaman was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court at a date to be fixed.