A man has been spared jail after smashing the windows of a supermarket with a golf club in a revenge attack.

Wayne Drinkell, 39, targeted Budgens in Queen’s Road, next to Brighton Station, after being shooed away from the store outside which he was asking people for money.

After having his tea kicked over in the commotion, he returned to smash up the store, causing £25,000 damage.

Judge Guy Anthony said the offence was serious enough for Drinkell to be sent to prison.

Lewes Crown Court heard the store manager had made numerous complaints about Drinkell asking people for money near the entrance before the fracas on Monday, February 26.

Chris Edun had called the police twice that day before filming him on his phone to gather evidence of antisocial behaviour.

While Drinkell was being asked to move on, his cup of tea was knocked over.

At about 10pm he returned with a golf club, smashing three large windows and signage.

In his police interview he said the attack was in reaction to being moved on earlier.

Beverley Cherrill defending, told the court he had felt “bullied” by Mr Edun.

She said: “They have had differences over the last three to five years.

“He made a point of not begging and people would give him money when he said hello and people had been stopping to speak to him for several years.

“He felt like he was acting within the law and the manager did not like him there putting off customers.

“Police had been called twice by managers that day and twice said he was not causing a problem but technically he was on private property.

“They asked him to move from a forecourt to the pavement and they left him there to go about his business which they deemed lawful.

“He said the manager kicked his tea over him.”

She said Drinkell was now drug and alcohol free, and his mental health stable.

Drinkell, of North Road, Brighton pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

Sentencing Judge Anthony said: “It may well be you were badly treated by the manager of the shop. I am prepared to accept you believed you were badly treated.

“I’m afraid all the time people suffer behaviour they don’t like.

“But you simply can’t go around smashing because you were annoyed with the treatment you have received.”

He said despite Drinkell having an “appalling” criminal record, he would spare him jail because hewas showing signs of improving.

He was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment suspended for two years for criminal damage, 28 days imprisonment – already served – for failing to turn up for his sentencing hearing in April and ten days of rehabilitation activity.