A HAMPSHIRE man had to be pepper-sprayed and forced into a spit mask after he went on a drunken rampage at a city nightclub.

Joshua Knight headbutted the manager of The Edge, smashed a cash register and attacked a police officer during a night out at the Compton Walk bar.

The 23-year-old was later restrained by police, who were forced to use a spit guard after he began spitting at them.

Southampton magistrates heard how the incident took place when Knight was out drinking with his girlfriend.

At around 4.40am, Knight began arguing with the manager of the bar, Richard Anderson.

Prosecutor Rachel Standish said this culminated in Knight pushing Mr Anderson in the chest, causing him to fall back into a wall.

Knight, a father-of-one, was restrained by security.

Ms Standish said: “The defendant then picked up a till from the desk and threw it. It broke the till in half.

“He then got in the face of Mr Anderson, shouting repeatedly, and then pulled his head back and headbutted him.”

Knight was later seen shouting at a taxi driver, before police arrived.

Ms Standish said when police arrived Knight made threats to an officer, who deployed CS gas.

She said Knight spat at the officer and was put in a spit guard.

In mitigation, Mark Rigby said Knight’s reaction was sparked because of an incident involving his girlfriend.

He said that Knight was angry over a “perceived lack of action by staff at the night club over the incident”.

Mr Rigby added that Knight had autism and ADHD which meant he had “trouble controlling his emotions”.

Mr Rigby said Knight, who pleaded guilty to two assaults and one count of criminal damage, was apologetic.

Magistrates imposed a 12 month community order on Knight, of The Acorns, Bursledon, which includes 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay a total of £500 in compensation to his victims.