A THUG who hurled a can of lager at a Tesco shop attendant and then racially abused a security guard has been spared jail.

Dad-of-one Brendon Newton, 27, of South- borough Drive, Westcliff, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to assault and using racially-aggravated abusive language.

He had also been convicted after trial of assaulting Philip Burnham in Southend.

Ian Allen, prosecuting, said that a confrontation arose in Chichester Road on April 3, after Newton barged into Mr Burnham’s partner as they passed each other on the street.

Words were exchanged which led to Newton approaching the couple and punching Mr Burnham in the jaw. The second assault took place at the Tesco Express store in London Road, Westcliff, on August 8, while Newton was trying to buy lager.

When asked for identification to prove his age, he became angry and threw a can of beer at the attendant Richard Poet, hitting him above the right temple.

He then racially abused the security guard, Jacky Prosper when he intervened, Mr Allen said.

Defending Newton, Simon Samuels said his client was unable to cope with problems in his personal life, but was “an excellent father” to his seven-year-old child.

He said: “There is a pattern to his behaviour. If something goes wrong in his life, he turns to drinking.

“Once he’s drinking, unfortunately these situations develop and a he’s a danger to the public.”

At Southend Magistrates’ Court, Newton was given an eight-week jail sentence for the first assault, eight weeks for the second assault and four weeks for the racially-aggravated abusive language.

The sentences will run consecutively for 20 weeks, but were suspended for 18 months.

During this time, Newton must also perform a community order involving 80 hours of unpaid work and take part in the thinking skills programme.

The two assaulted victims will each get £100 compensation and Mr Prosper £50. Newton was also ordered to pay £100 towards court costs.