A THUG who stole wine bottles before attacking police officers has been jailed.

Denis Martin stole the wine from a Marks and Spencer Foodhall store in Brighton.

He then assaulted a community support officer and a police constable at the custody centre in Crowhurst Road.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court Martin admitted theft at the supermarket in Carden Avenue, and the two assaults on April 29 this year.

He also admitted damaging a police car in Horton Road in Brighton on April 19.

Magistrate Mark Linford jailed him for 16 weeks after his latest crimes.

The 43-year-old has had difficulties with being homeless and recovering from addiction to crack cocaine.

Martin, of Devonshire Place, Brighton, was given a conditional discharge in February after threatening a community support officer.

Before that conviction, he had 42 convictions for 84 previous offences.