A 29-year-old who hurled racist abuse at a shop worker before spitting at a police officer and threatening to kill their family has admitted the offences.

Thomas Mason racially abused a member of staff after he was challenged for stealing and drinking cans of beer from a premises in Margate High Street on Sunday afternoon.

When another man stepped in to help, Mason was also racially abusive towards him, then assaulted him.

Police rushed to the scene and arrested Mason, who then became abusive towards an officer, spitting at him and threatening to kill his family.

Mason, of no fixed address, was charged on Monday with racially-aggravated assault, shoplifting, assaulting an officer and a racially-aggravated public order offence.

He appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court via virtual link on Tuesday, when he pleaded guilty to all offences.

He was remanded in custody and will appear in court for sentencing on May 14.

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet