A MAN has been convicted following an incident in which he threatened police officers with paving slabs.

Terry Politano, 35, of Rossiter Road, Lancing, was sentenced for driving with excess alcohol and two public order offences, one of which was racially-aggravated, when he appeared at Worthing Magistrates’ Court on Monday 4 November.

Politano, a builder, was seen driving away from a Brighton car park just after 3am on Tuesday 16 April, and was described as being drunk.

Police officers went to Politano’s home address in Lancing, where he was seen getting out of his van and running towards his home address.

Officers found Politano in the rear garden, where he picked up and threw two paving slabs towards them.

Following his arrest, Politano was taken to the Durrington custody centre, where he repeatedly abused officers, including with racist language.

He was given a total of eight weeks' imprisonment, which was suspended for two years, as well as a 36-month driving ban, a six-month Drug Rehabilitation Requirement and a 12-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

Adur, Worthing and Horsham Prevention Sergeant, Peter Allan, said: "I am pleased that the sentence imposed by the court reflects the potential serious consequences of Terry’s actions that night.

"The public were put at risk as he drove his vehicle from Brighton to Lancing, while over the limit, and our officers were put at risk, as he repeatedly threatened to cause them harm - at one stage, throwing two paving slabs at them.

“I am also pleased to see the court using their sentencing powers to increase the sentence imposed, to take account of the sustained and vitriolic racist abuse.

“I hope Terry makes best use of the assistance he will be offered during the rehabilitative elements of his sentence.”