AN ABUSIVE addict threatened police and swore profusely with a can of Stella Artois in his hand.

Denis Martin was stopped by PC Andrew Chapman in North Street in Brighton after the incident last month.

The homeless 42-year-old jabbed his finger at officers and called a community support officer a “f****** melt” and said: “I could take you.”

PC Andrew Chapman thought Martin was drunk, and was worried for bystanders at a nearby bus stop who could hear his foul language and see his behaviour.

Martin claimed at Brighton Magistrates Court that the PC would not leave him alone.

He said: “PC Chapman seems to have this bee in his bonnet for me.”

Martin, who has 42 convictions for 84 previous offences, was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge, which will be added to the £2,000 he currently owes the courts.

Martina Sherlock, prosecuting, said the incident happened on January 9 at 1pm in North Street in Brighton.

“PC Andrew Chapman saw Mr Martin approach a PCSO and say ‘you are a f****** melt, I could take you’.

He had a can of Stella in his hand, it was clear that he was very intoxicated, and he was swearing profusely.

“He was raising his arms and behaving in a threatening manner. He appeared to jab fingers at officers. They spoke to calm him down and move him on.

“It was near a bus stop where 15 people were waiting.

"The PC believed that those people would have overheard his language and behaviour and looked visibly disturbed by his intoxication.”

Martin, defending himself, said: “PC Chapman approaches me on a regular basis, whether I’m drinking or not drinking.

"He chooses to approach me.

"I have made it clear that I do not want him near me, it agitates me.

“I’m not saying the things I said were right, but if he didn’t come near me I am fine.

"He seems to have this bee in his bonnet for me.”

He said he was cleaning up his act and doing better after receiving help from homeless charity St Mungo’s.

Probation officers are working with him and say he has engaged with support workers.

Previously, The Argus reported how recovering crack cocaine addict Martin had lost everything when his tent was removed from a beach in July.

He said: “I sleep on the beach, I don’t beg on the streets.

"I’m trying to get work to earn myself a living, and I’m trying to rebuild my life.

"It’s not a joke, this is reality, and it’s hard.”

But just a month later he racially abused security guard Mohamad Kobare at the Aldi store in London Road.

He told the guard: “We are not in Africa, go back to your own country.”

In November magistrates put him under a restraining order not to go to Aldi or contact Mr Kobare.

He was also ordered to pay £50 in compensation.

After his court appearance last week, Martin was given a conditional discharge for threatening behaviour likely to cause alarm and distress.

The £20 victim surcharge will be taken from his benefits.