A homeless man who hurled abuse at people during Maidstone’s Remembrance Day parade has escaped without punishment.

While hundreds in the town centre stopped to pay their respects to fallen servicemen and women, Spencer Harrison was shouting, swearing and trying to start fights with strangers, Maidstone Magistrates’ Court was told.

The 24-year-old, formerly of Pelican Court in Wateringbury, was also said to have spat at one of the soldiers or veterans marching in the parade, although he denied that aspect of the offence.

Andrew Jones, prosecuting, said police had gone over to speak to Harrison after he was spotted punching a telephone box and acting aggressively at around 11.30am on Sunday, November 12.

When they suggested he left the town centre, Harrison swore and made an offensive gesture.

After walking off, he returned, threatening to headbutt one of the officers and “chew his nose off” if he was followed.

He was then aggressive towards veterans and soldiers in the parade, as well as the public.

Harrison was also found to have cannabis when he was searched at the police station following his arrest.

He pleaded guilty to possession of a class B drug and a public order offence, but he denied the spitting.

The court heard Harrison, who had been homeless for nearly a year, was venting his anger because he had just found out a close friend had died.

He told the court he wanted to apologise for what he had done.

Hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects to the war dead during the procession on Remembrance Sunday.

Representatives of 35 clubs, including Tovil Scouts Group and Senacre Wood Primary School, joined ex-servicemen’s associations in parading behind contingents from the 36 Engineers Regiment and The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers.

At sentencing, Harrison was given a conditional discharge for one year and ordered to pay £105 in various court costs.

The drugs were forfeited and destroyed.