A THUG who has racked up more than 30 convictions could now face five years in prison if he swears in public .

David Learmonth, 28, was made the subject of a criminal behaviour order by Judge Rupert Overbury at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday.

The draconian legislation bans Learmonth from drinking alcohol in public apart from in licensed premises, carrying an open alcoholic drink vessel, swearing, and being intoxicated in public.

Learmonth, formerly of Vineyard Street, Colchester, has racked up most of his offences in and around the town, but has now moved to Lowestoft.

Judge Overbury said he hoped the order would put an end to Learmonth’s offending.

He said: “All he does is commit offences while he is drunk or angry of a relatively minor nature.

“He spends time in custody and then gets let out.

“If he breaches a criminal behaviour order he can go to prison for up to five years.

“If he grows up and gets a handle on his drinking he can come to court and apply for it to be removed.

“He is perpetually swearing at people in public and it is often a pre-cursor to him becoming violent.”

Addressing Learmonth, Judge Overbury said: “If you think you can go down the street effing and blinding at people then you are wrong.

“If you swear at anybody you will be back here because of a breach of the order.

“If you think you can go down the pub and get drunk then walk home then you better think twice about it.

“You are going to have to work on your self-confessed problem with alcohol.”

Learmonth’s latest offences include theft, assault by beating, threatening behaviour and obstructing a police officer.

He admitted to them all after an incident at a convenience store in April.

Learmonth, now of Burnham Way, Lowestoft, also admitted breaching a suspended sentence order and absconding whilst on bail.

Judge Overbury sentenced him to 78 weeks in prison for those offences but admitted he would likely be freed in the next few days as his time on remand would count towards his jail term.