A YOB wrapped his belt around his fist and began smashing the bar after staff at a popular restaurant refused to serve him because he was too drunk.

John McGuire started shouting and swearing at workers at Church Street Tavern in Colchester town centre after being asked to leave when he entered the venue at lunchtime.

He then twisted the belt around his hand and repeatedly hammered the counter while hurling abuse at workers and customers.

When the buckle came loose from the strap McGuire, 28, hurled the belt at a member of staff who managed to catch it.

Police were called and found the 28-year-old outside, where he was arrested. But as he was being put into the back of the car, McGuire kicked out at an officer.

During the trip to the police station he threatened to “smash” the same officer’s face and tried to hit him in the face with his handcuffs.

McGuire, who has 33 previous convictions, was the subject of post sentence supervision at the time of the offence, on August 29.

Yesterday, Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard his compliance with the probation service had been sporadic and he had missed some of his scheduled appointments.

He admitted criminal damage, disorderly behaviour, assaulting a police officer and breaching his post sentence supervision order.

Lucy Osborn, mitigating said McGuire had been sleeping rough and had huge problems with alcohol. She said: “He accepts he was under the influence when he went in the Church Street Tavern.

“He wanted to purchase food - not drink - but was refused.

“He has struggled for many years with alcohol.

“That day he reacted in a way which was inappropriate because of the amount of alcohol he had.”

Ms Osborn said McGuire, who have his address as Beacon House, Crouch Street, had been working with charities since being released from jail in a bid to turn his life around.

Magistrates jailed him for 14 weeks saying they were concerned by how he had effectively turned his belt into a weapon when he started hammering the bar.

He must pay £100 compensation to the restaurant to reimburse bosses for the damage and the same amount to the Essex Police officer he assaulted.