Just hours after his release from prison a thug with a long list of previous convictions went to a town centre and brandished a knife at another man, a court heard.

John Sweeney was caught on CCTV cameras persistently trying to attack Adedayo Fadeyi.

When finally arrested, he hurled foul racist abuse at a police officer.

The 33-year-old painter and decorator, who has 241 offences on his record, was jailed for two years and eight months after a judge told him: “Your behaviour is deeply anti-social and has to be stamped upon.”

Fresh from prison, Sweeney and Mr Fadeyi were seen arguing in Week Street in Maidstone on September 1 this year. The victim was heard saying: “Put the knife down.”

He ran off pursued by Sweeney. He then stopped and turned around. Sweeney attempted to pass the knife to somebody else, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

The two men exchanged blows. After Sweeney was punched on the nose, he picked up a walking stick and swung it around.

Prosecutor Robert De Banzie said Sweeney threw the stick and Mr Fedayi picked it up and started swinging it around. Sweeney racially abused him telling him to “get out of this country”.

Police officers arrived as they reached Gabriels Hill. Sweeney then shouted racist insults to a PC of Asian descent.

After his arrest he was let out of his cell to make a phone call and when it did not connect he started swinging punches at a female officer.

“She describes pain in her left arm,” said Mr De Banzie. “She said her whole body was shaking.”

Sweeney, originally from Donegal, Ireland, and of no fixed address, admitted possession of a knife, two counts of racially aggravated harassment and assaulting a police officer.

Eve George, defending, said Sweeney had been released on licence for offences committed in June and had since been recalled.

He claimed Mr Fadeyi was in his face and goading him.

“He told me he is not racist,” said Miss George. “He used the terminology as a method of winding people up. He knew it would get to them.”

Judge Martin Joy told Sweeney: “The reality is this behaviour in the town centre was committed on the very day you were released from prison.

“Quite plainly, there has been racial language used among the violence. That clearly has to be stamped upon.

“The police are entitled to look to the courts for protection. A PC was injured by your disgraceful and violent behaviour. Those who commit these offences can only expect severe punishment.”