A 17-year-old yob led an army of 50 boozed-up teens on a town centre rampage before cornering a lone cop - but the thug's identity is being protected in case he comes to harm.

A youth court heard how the lout - a hoodie gang "boss" nicknamed The Chavfather because of his love of Godfather-style mobster speak - marshalled his troops at McDonalds after a massive booze session.

Magistrates sitting at Eastbourne Youth Court heard yesterday (Tues) how the teen guzzled seven cans of lager and three glasses of vodka as a starter before downing more drink while running riot in Eastbourne, on April 4 this year.

When cops tried to disperse the drunken pack, an officer was backed into a corner by the jeering youths while their ringleader shouted abuse in his face and threatened to "whack" him, mobster-speak for kill.

The hooligan - who leads a posse included children as young as 14 - was eventually weeded out and subdued by backup officers wearing riot gear.

His night of shame was detailed in court yesterday (Tue) - but he continues to enjoy the cloak of anonymity as he is under 18 and magistrates fear his welfare could be jeopardised if his identity is revealed.

Prosecutor Claire Prodger told the court: "Officers were called to McDonald's at 9pm, where they found a gang of 50 drunken youths causing a nuisance.

"They seized bottles of spirits and cans of beer from the youths and advised them to move on. At one point the youths started shouting abuse at a young family as they passed them in the street, trying to engage the father in a fight.

"Officers could see the situation was getting out of hand and radioed for backup."

The defendant turned on one of the officers, the court heard, and became aggressive, shouting abuse at him.

Ms Prodger said: "Very quickly, the officer was backed into a corner by a large group of drunk and highly volatile teenagers, while the defendant raised his fist and continued to shout, You fat b******, I'll f****** whack you.' "The officer feared for his personal safety and felt extremely threatened by the situation and radioed for further backup."

When the jobless teen was handcuffed by officers, he continued to shout threats and abuse.

After being dragged "kicking and screaming" into the police station, he gave his name as Mickey Mouse, telling cops: "It's none of your f****** business who I am."

In interview, he said he had downed seven cans of Stella Artois and three glasses of vodka before leaving his house, then continued to guzzle beer and spirits in the street.

Ms Prodger added: "He accepted most of his gang were drunk and that members of the public would have been threatened by their behaviour.

"He said the officer who is the victim in this case had been cocky'."

At the time of the offence, the youth was on bail for two charges of violence. He also has a previous conviction for affray.

But JPs decided yesterday to give the hooligan - who admitted making threats of violence and resisting a police officer - a second chance, and put off his case for reports, limiting their sentencing options to a non-custodial sentence.

Magistrate Chris Blessington told the yob: "You are out of control. When you drink, you get aggressive, and that must stop now.

"Boozing is bad news. Drinking that amount all in one go and mouthing off to police will only lead you to court."

After the hearing a police source said: "It is absolutely ridiculous that this idiot cannot be named and shamed.

"He's a total nightmare and local residents should be well aware of who he is for their own protection."

The lout was dubbed the Chavfather by pals for his self-aggrandising antics.

During the 50-strong gang's town centre rampage the louts hurled cigarette packets, empty cans of booze and burger containers at passers-by - baiting them to start a fight or pull them up for their behaviour.

The court heard how police spent more than an hour trying to wrestle to booze off the yobs - every one of whom was carrying alcohol - plus a further hour to bring in the ringleader.

The gang's night of terror began at around 7pm when various members hooked up as they walked into Eastbourne town centre.

By 9pm the entire crew had assembled outside McDonald's and began hurling insults and throwing things at passers-by after already causing mayhem - knocking off car wing mirrors, pulling up trees and yelling abuse at people - in the two hours leading up to the police being called.

After police arrived, trouble flared up again when the youth spotted a family of four, including two children under the age of 10, and challenged the dad to a fist fight.

The court heard how it wasn't until 11pm that the enitre mob were dealt with - with the ringleader taken into police custody for the night.

The phrase Chavfather has been used by groups across the country and even makes it into internet slang database Urban Dictionary.