A homeless man who has 114 previous convictions hurled racist abuse at a supermarket security guard and spat in his face – after being challenged over a tub of ice cream.

Maidstone Magistrates’ Court heard Bernard Prebble had gone into Sainsbury’s shortly before closing time and taken a container of caramel Carte D’Or.

After walking out of the supermarket in Romney Place without paying, the 43-year-old was challenged by staff member Ryan McKenzie.

David Holman, prosecuting, said Prebble had to be restrained on the floor after becoming aggressive and abusive, at which point he spat at Mr McKenzie and used racial slurs.

Prebble also threatened to return with his brothers to “slash” the security guard.

In a statement Mr McKenzie said he felt shocked and humiliated, and he had been to hospital afterwards, fearing he was at risk of disease after being spat at.

He added: “It made me feel nervous, I don’t like confrontation.”

The duty manager, James Crump, said Prebble was also swinging his fists at other staff members, and that he feared for their safety.

Prebble left but was later arrested in another part of town. Mr Holman said officers had to put him in a police van and take him straight to the cells because he was being so aggressive.

The court heard Prebble, a prolific offender, was a recovering drug addict who had been living on the streets for some time.

Defending, Keith Middleton said on the night in question, November 16, his client had turned to alcohol despite being sober for around a decade.

He added: “Tragically he finds himself in such difficulty over a small tub of ice cream.”

Prebble said he was very drunk and could not remember what happened, but wanted to personally apologise to Mr McKenzie after hearing what he had done.

He pleaded guilty to theft, racially aggravated assault and using abusive words or behaviour and is set to be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, May 3.