A MAN from South Ockendon was described as "thoroughly reprehensible" by a judge who sentenced him to two and a half years in jail after hearing a litany of offences.

Jason Patmore, 25, of Galey Green, South Ockenden, admitted 13 offences including drink driving, driving without insurance or a driving licence, common assault, criminal damage and dangerous driving.

His record features 44 convictions for more than 90 offences across Essex.

Judge Christopher Morgan spoke up when delivering sentence for offences which included spitting at, biting and attacking police officers after being arrested. He also threatened to defecate in the police van and urinate on officers while in custody.

Patmore had stolen his cousin's BMW and crashed it into a home in Barrack Street, Colchester, while he was nearly twice the legal drink drive limit and with a deadly amount of prescription and illicit drugs in his system.

Chelmsford Crown Court was told he had drunk 13 bottles of beer and took a significant amount of Diazepam.

Judge Morgan told Patmore there was "no justification" for his actions, Describing Patmore as thoroughly reprehensible, he added: "Your behaviour could have ended up in you being seriously injured or killed.

"From a very young age you were exposed to violence and alcohol and in due course, class A drugs, and much of that behaviour lies behind your offending.

"It's down to you in future as to whether you engage with those who provide you with assistance and keep on taking your medication.

"If you don't, and resort to drink and drugs, you end up committing crimes and your prison sentences will get longer and longer, especially if you end up killing someone which seems highly likely."

Patmore's aunt, Toni Dalton, who was also attacked and threatened, read out a victim impact statement from the witness box which brought her and Patmore to tears.

She said: "He's had a tough upbringing. His mum and dad got him on drugs at a young age, he was in care and never had support."