A DRUNKEN thug smashed a chip shop window before spitting at and threatening a police officer following a fight on Southend seafront.

Shaun Avison, 33, was involved in a fight near The Borough Hotel before punching a window at Clark’s fish and chip shop with such force it smashed.

He was then restrained security until police arrived.

Once he had been arrested, he launched a tirade of abuse at officers at the station and spat at an officer.

Avison, of Denver Drive, Pitsea, avoided jail at Basildon Crown Court on Friday despite his behaviour being branded “repulsive.”

Recorder Sarah Clarke said: “It’s clear you were extremely drunk and got into a fight.

“There was some appalling language against a worker who helped detain you. There was even more appalling and abusive language when police arrived and you arrived at the police station.

“This happened in the context of your bad record for this sort of thing.

Your previous convictions demonstrate repeated behaviour towards police.

“You deliberately spat at the police officer, this is disgusting and repulsive. Alcohol and you is a toxic situation.”

She said Avison used particularly foul and abusive language during the incident on the seafront.

Prosecuting, Gemma Rose told the court Avison pretended to faint and be unconscious during his arrest and when arriving at the police station.

She added: “After he spat at the officer he laughed and said he knew he would get him with it. Security were called to the a fight outside The Borough Hotel on Southend seafront and Mr Avison was stood in the door of Clark’s fish and chip shop.”

She told the court he has ten previous convictions for offences including assault by beating an emergency worker.

Mitigating, Matthew Bagnall said: “He has a poor history of offending and has made some significant strides to bettering himself.

“He’s really sorted himself out and stop using cocaine and reduced how much he’s drinking. He really enjoys work and can see a future for himself that he couldn’t see before.”

Avison initially denied charges damaging property and assault on emergency worker in the magistrates and crown court before admitted the charged before a trial began.

He was handed a 17-week prison sentence suspended for a year and ordered to