AN unemployed man who elbowed and spat at job centre staff before shouting racist abuse has been given a community order.

Simon Rayner, 46, of Baddow Road, Great Baddow, pleaded guilty last week at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court to assault and using racially aggravated threatening language.

On May 5 Rayner, who has been out of work for just over a year, went to the Job Centre in New London Road after he had not received his Jobseekers Allowance for five weeks.

Prosecuting solicitor Simon Bravery told the courtroom the defendant became agitated and elbowed a security guard in the pelvis before spitting at him.

Mr Bravery said Rayner was then heard shouting racist abuse outside.

Peter Butterfield, representing Rayner, said his client knows his actions were wrong and came after he had not eaten for seven days previously and was concerned for himself and his pet dog.

Mr Butterfield said: “He accepts he lost his temper and he is ashamed of his behaviour, but in his own words he was at the end of his tether.”

Magistrate Jeffrey Hazelton sentenced Rayner to a 12-month community order during which he must complete 150 hours unpaid work and attend a mentoring programme for 15 days.

Mr Hazelton said: “These are serious offences. These are people who are doing a job and they are doing it to help you and to help others.

“They are not there to be spat at and abused. That is nasty, very nasty.”

A 12-month supervision order was also placed on Rayner along with a £70 fine which was added after Mr Hazelton chose not to activate an existing suspended sentence.

Rayner must also pay a victim surcharge of £60.