Two teenagers who claimed to be strangers teamed up for an "alcohol-fuelled evening of loutish and thuggish behaviour", a court heard.

The duo caused chaos after stealing booze, attacking staff and customers and causing more than £12,000 worth of damage to a KFC restaurant before one of them racially abused a police officer.

But roofer Cameron Jeffrey and new pal Danny White kept their freedom after each were given suspended sentences at Maidstone Crown Court.

The 19-year-olds began at 7.30pm on March 22 by snatching a crate of beer from Tesco Express in Week Street which they then consumed in Brenchley Gardens.

Prosecutor Ian Foinette told how an hour later they returned to the same store and attempted to steal another crate - only to be confronted by a security guard.

"They behaved aggressively towards him and then kicked the door several times causing it to shatter while leaving the shop.

"They then went to the German Doner Kebab, also in Week Street, at 9pm. Jeffrey then went behind the counter where he was challenged by a staff member and slapped him in the face."

At 9.10pm, the duo went into the KFC restaurant where Jeffrey began picking up chairs "and repeatedly throwing them" at customer Andrew Lettington.

"Mr Lettington tried to protect himself by holding a high chair as White picked up a chair and tried to hit him numerous times, leaving the customer with bruised arms and a hand injury which bled.

"He then punched Mr Lettington in the face causing an injury to his eye socket."

The court heard that the cost of repairing the fast food outlet totalled £12,228.

Mr Foinette said the teenagers then went into Premier Cellar drink store nearby and attacked staff member Angela Knight as she attempted to call for help.

"She tried to call on her town radio which was taken away from her by White and was then thrown at her. He then scooped up £35 worth of cocktails before walking out without paying," said Mr Foinette.

Jeffrey, of Hollingworth Road, Maidstone, was arrested at 9.22pm but White went on to attack Ross Crawford in Union Street punching him five times in the face during an argument and knocking him unconscious.

The court heard that at 11.43pm, White, of no fixed address, was arrested and called a police officer a "black ****" before shouting: "Who are you to tell me what to do? Are you the same colour as me?

"I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to this white guy, so **** off."

The prosecutor added that White then talked about black slavery.

'Your behaviour was drunken, loutish and thuggish which is not acceptable'

Kieran Brand for Jeffrey said it had been "an alcohol-fuelled evening" which led to violence.

He added: "He is deeply ashamed of his behaviour. He can offer no explanation and has little memory of the incident. He knows he has only himself to blame."

Judge Julian Smith said: "These were two young men who were out of control causing fear to a number of people."

He then told the two: "Your behaviour was drunken, loutish and thuggish which is not acceptable."

Jeffrey, who admitted affray, causing criminal damage, assaults and theft, was given a 21-month sentence suspended for two years.

White admitted affray, assaults, theft and carrying out a racially aggravated assault on PC Asidu Akoto, "an officer who was doing his job".

The teenager told the judge he was now ashamed about what he did.

He received a 21-month jail sentence suspended for two years and ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work for the community.