Richard Deeks, 30, smashed up chairs, glasses and other items at the Copper Kettle restaurant in Rye on June 22.

Prosecutor Alison May said: "A member of staff went there to start her shift and realised the defendant was not there but next door at the Bell Inn.

"He was drunk and told to go away and calm down.

"The defendant wandered off into the restaurant and the member of staff could hear noises and things being thrown around.

"She sought help from the proprietor next door and from the owner of the Copper Kettle itself.

"The window at the front was damaged and a number of items were broken including chairs, candle holders and glasses.

"The defendant told police he had been drinking heavily at the pub next door and had very little recollection of the events."

The court heard Deeks, of Whitehawk Crescent, Brighton, was sentenced to three years in prison in 2000 for aggravated burglary.

He appeared before deputy district judge Adrian Turner at Hastings Magistrates Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal damage.

Representing himself, Deeks said: "I was supposed to be working that night but was drunk. I have now lost my job.

"My granddad died four weeks ago and I have been drinking heavily since then."

Mr Turner gave Deeks a 12-month community order in which he must do 150 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £300 compensation.