A shovel-wielding drunk who went on a one-man vandalism spree in the heart of Whitstable told police: “You want a monster, you’re gonna get one.”

Anson Simms, 36, caused £11,500 worth of damage after using the spade to smash shop windows and cars in the town's High Street.

In just a few minutes in May, a coffee house, bakery, pub, newsagent, chemists, flower shop, hairdressers, gift shop, butchers and a Chinese takeaway all faced the wrath of Simms.

At one point a stunned passer-by gave police a 10-minute running commentary as Simms took out his frustration on the British Red Cross charity shop and two parked cars.

But, amazingly, when officers arrived, Simms – who was wearing a red hoodie and cap – had vanished.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how he was not spotted for another hour-and-a-quarter, by which time he had hidden the spade under a van.

Even then, the jobless and homeless Simms baited police officers, sneeringly telling them: “It’s funny how you found me so quick, tried to find me at my mate’s house?

“This was only the start. A lot more is going to happen from this once I get out for criminal damage.

“Watch what I’m gonna f***** do.

“You want a monster, you’re gonna get one?”

Prosecutor Craig Evans told how Simms then added: “I don’t like the police, you’re as corrupt as f***. I’m lucky you ain’t got guns otherwise you would have shot me down.

“At the end of the day it’s only petty criminal damage. I’m just a petty criminal!"

The court heard how Simms smashed his way along the High Street, leaving broken glass in his wake.

At the time, traders criticised the police response time of 32 minutes, calling it "ridiculous".

Those targeted were Burgate Coffee House (£,2500 worth of damage); Champs Bakery (£1,000); The Rock Lodge (no cost); The Coach and Horses Pub (£2,000); Oxford News (£535); Whitstable Library (£488); Wing Wan Chinese (£500); Cheadles Chemists (£485); 2 Cromwell Road (£320); British Red Cross (£203); Kites And Things (£700); Clarks Flower Shop (value not given); Jelly Beanz Hairdressers (£336); Jim’s Family Butchers (£1,460) a Nissan Micra £1,036) and a Nissan Qashqai (value not given).

The court heard Simms had wanted to vent his anger against society before arming himself with the shovel.

Kerry Waitt, defending, said Simms grew up in Whitstable and had been in a relationship with a girl from Margate.

But when it broke down he found himself living in a tent in Canterbury and suffering from depression and drinking to excess.

“He went to Whitstable and began drinking alcohol and his depression turned to rage, but he can’t explain why he did what he did," Mr Waitt said.

“He developed a reputation in Whitstable and just felt people were judging him by this."

Simms, who admitted 16 counts of criminal damage, has 14 previous convictions for offences of causing criminal damage.

Jailing him for 16 months today, Judge Christopher Critchlow told him: “You are only 36 so there is still time to change your ways.”

Manager of the Rock Lodge Andrew Mitchell chased Simms through the High Street and side alleys before the police arrived.

He believes the sentence is fair, adding: "I hope he gets help and is reformed when he is released."