A DRUNKEN lout who racially abused an Asian police officer and threatened to kill him and his family has been locked up.

Jonathan Marsh launched his foul-mouthed tirade against Acting Sergeant Waseem Khan after being arrested for a fracas at a pizza shop.

At a police station, he vowed to hunt down the officer after his release and bite off his head, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Marsh screamed: "You'd better get me life in prison, because I'm going to find where you are and kill you and cut your kids' throats."

The 24-year-old, from Middlesbrough, was jailed for 15 months after he admitted a string of offences from the September 16 incidents.

He pleaded guilty to using racially-aggravated threatening words or behaviour, making threats to kill and being drunk and disorderly.

Scott Smith, prosecuting, told the court that trouble flared at Mario's pizza shop in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, in the early hours.

After being flagged down by members of the public, police went to the takeaway where they saw Marsh was drunk and agitated.

He was arrested after repeatedly refusing to calm down, and head-butted and kicked the inside of the police vehicle as he was driven away.

At the police station, he hurled racial insults and threats at Act Sgt Khan, who later said that he felt that the vows would be carried out.

Duncan McReddie, mitigating, told the court: "He is at pains to ask me to emphasise that he does not regard himself in any way racist.

"He does not take any pleasure in having his conduct recited in the way it has been in this court. He was completely disinhibited by drink."

Mr McReddie said his client had moderated his drinking and sought help since his latest arrest, and was remorseful for his actions.