A TEENAGER who spat blood and phlegm in a police officer’s face after beating a girl has been spared prison.

Shae Corrigan, 17, avoided jail for two violent attacks which took place within a matter of months of each other - despite already being on probation for a previous assault.

In the most serious incident, Corrigan had been drinking and taking cocaine when he got into an argument with two teenage girls outside a house in Wickford.

The argument, on December 29, last year, turned physical when Corrigan attacked one of the girls, swinging punches and forcing her to run to a nearby house for help.

The homeowners opened the door, let the girl in and were able to shut the door before Corrigan tried to force his way in.

Sentencing Corrigan at Basildon Crown Court, judge Ian Graham said: “You issued violent and vile threats to the man and his wife before proceeding to attack him, punching him on the ground while shouting more unpleasant threats.

“When police arrived, you continued to be abusive. You pushed one officer before being forced into a police car where you continued to remonstrate, fight and resist.”

The court heard the teenager then spat a mix of saliva, phlegm and blood at a second officer before shouting “You deserve that, you pig c***” at him.

Corrigan, of Mackenzie Close, Wickford, was charged with three counts of assault, two counts of assaulting a police officer and one count of criminal damage.

In an earlier incident, on September 9, Corrigan, with another man, smashed his way into a man’s home with a rock before fighting with the victim.

Judge Graham said: “You went straight for him and there was a fight in which there was another man as well and during the course of that, the homeowner got stabbed in the buttock.”

The victim was taken to hospital for his injuries which were not life-threatening.

Corrigan was charged with affray and criminal damage in relation to this incident.

He admitted all charges at the first opportunity.

Kevin Toomey, mitigating, described the case as a “deeply upsetting set of offences” and told the court Corrigan was remorseful and had since stopped drinking and doing drugs.

He said he was studying construction at South Essex College and hoped to return if he was spared custody.

He also said Corrigan was a talented rugby player who played at county level before undertaking training at London-based club Saracens.

Sentencing him, Judge Graham warned the teenager this was his last chance.

He added: “I have to decide whether having breached a previous order having committed these offences, you have had the chance and the only way you will learn is by a period in custody.

“There are many good things about you - you are looking for work and your rugby skills.

“These are all more worthwhile than getting drunk.

“This is your last chance.”

Corrigan was sentenced to a 24-month youth rehabilitation order, with 12 months of supervision, extended activity requirements, thinking skills and a three-month curfew.

Corrigan’s parents thanks the judge as they left the court.