A man gave police a stream of racist abuse after he was arrested for damaging a taxi.

A court heard how Daniel Hardiman got upset when a cab driver refused to take him to an address in Clacton, as he did not have enough money.

Hardiman, 29, got out of the vehicle in the town's Station Road and kicked the door, causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

When he was being taken to the police station later, he made a series of offensive racist comments, Chelmsford Crown Court was told.

Hardiman, from Crossfield Road, Clacton, admitted charges of racial threatening behaviour and damage when he appeared in court and was jailed for six months, suspended for 18 months.

Rex Bryan, prosecuting, said the incident happened on New Year's Eve at about 11pm.

The racist comments were made on the way to the police station after he was arrested, Mr Bryan said.

Sasha Bailey, mitigating, told the court Hardiman now realised he had been an idiot. His behaviour had been fuelled by drink, she said.